Man Scammed 81-Year-Old Lithia Woman Of $24K: Hillsborough Sheriff

LITHIA, FL — A Canadian man was arrested in connection with an organized elder fraud scheme that targeted an 81-year-old Lithia woman, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Detectives learned on Feb. 23 that the woman was being actively scammed.

Investigators believe the scammers gained remote access to the victim’s computer after she clicked on a malicious email and convinced her they had accidentally deposited $50,000 into her bank account, HCSO said.

After this, the woman withdrew $24,000 from her bank and handed the money to an unidentified courier, deputies said. The courier sent the woman a fraudulent receipt and arranged to pick up a second payment the next day.

The victim was contacted on Feb. 24 and instructed to provide $25,000 to a courier.

Detectives coordinated with the woman and prepared $25,000 in fake money for the scheduled pickup.

Min Chen, 40, arrived at the woman’s home to pick up the money as detectives conducted surveillance on the exchange, the sheriff’s office said.

Chen was arrested after he parked at a nearby plaza. Detectives found the fake money in his vehicle.

He told deputies that while he holds Canadian citizenship, he's originally from China.

Chen was charged with organized fraud of a person 65 years of age or older ($20,000 to $50,000), theft from persons 65 years of age or older ($10,000 to $50,000), and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.

“This arrest demonstrates our commitment to protecting our senior citizens from those who seek to exploit them,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “We encourage families to speak with elderly loved ones about common scam tactics and to report suspicious activity immediately.”

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