Man Steals Thousands From Center Moriches Woman During Phone Scam: PD

CENTER MORICHES, NY — A Bronx man was arrested Tuesday after stealing thousands of dollars from a Center Moriches woman during a phone scam in September, police said.

According to Suffolk County police, the 65-year-old woman received a phone call on September 30 from a man who purported to be a Chase bank representative ,claiming her account had been compromised.

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The woman was instructed to transfer $44,000 into another account, police said.

A short time later, withdrawals were made at two Chase bank branches in New Jersey totaling $28,000, police said.

The woman immediately reported the incident to police and financial crimes unit detectives were able to recover $16,000 that had not yet been withdrawn, police said.

Detectives determined that Servando Ruiz Cuenca, 45, was responsible for the thefts, police said.

With the assistance of the New York Police Department’s warrants squad, Ruiz Cuenca was arrested at 7:38 a.m. at his home, located on Barretto Street, and charged with third-degree grand larceny, police said.

He will be held overnight at the Third Precinct for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on May 27, police said.

If you believe you have been a victim of a similar scam, contact the Suffolk County Police Department's financial crimes unit detectives at 631-852-6821.