(KRON) — SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. — A San Leandro man was arrested after allegedly attempting to scam an elderly woman out of $30,000, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).
Authorities say the elderly victim reported a suspicious phone call in which scammers tried to convince her to hand over a large sum of cash. After alerting investigators, the woman cooperated in a sting operation set up by detectives.
According to officials, the suspect — later identified as Ronghe Ruan — arrived at the woman’s home expecting to collect a box he believed contained cash. Detectives witnessed the transaction and moved in immediately to arrest him.
Upon searching Ruan’s vehicle, deputies reportedly found evidence linking him to other similar fraud cases, suggesting a broader criminal operation.
Ruan was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on multiple charges, including:
Elder abuse
Theft by false pretenses
Grand theft
Conspiracy
Growing Concern in the Bay Area
The sheriff’s office warned the public that cash-based elder scams are becoming more frequent throughout the Bay Area. Residents, especially seniors, are urged to verify the identity of anyone requesting money and to report suspicious activity to local authorities.
