A computer con turned into a cash calamity for a Centereach man who got caught in a digital deception that police say ended with nearly $20,000 disappearing into the hands of an alleged scammer.
Now, Suffolk County detectives say they've tracked down the alleged cyber crook.
Ande Jiang, 27, of Highland Mills, was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Petit Larceny in connection with a 2024 tech-support scam that police say drained $19,950 from a victim's wallet after first hijacking his trust.
According to investigators, the trouble started when the Centereach man experienced computer problems and searched online for technical help. Instead of finding a fix, police say he found a financial virus.
The victim contacted what he believed was a legitimate tech-support service and granted remote access to his computer. During the call, the purported support representative claimed the victim was owed a $50 refund. Moments later, the scam allegedly mutated.
The caller told the victim a computer "bug" had caused an accidental deposit of $20,000 instead of $20. To correct the supposed error, the victim was instructed to return the money, minus the promised refund.
Police said the victim later met a man in a Centereach parking lot and handed over $19,950 in cash. But in a twist that ultimately helped investigators crack the case, the victim snapped photos of both the man and his vehicle during the exchange.
Financial Crimes Unit detectives launched an investigation and identified Jiang as the suspect, police said.
Jiang was extradited from Connecticut, where he was being held on another case. He is being held overnight at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank and is scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.
Detectives are urging anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Jiang to contact the Financial Crimes Unit at 631-852-6821.