Ande Jiang, 27, of Highland Mills, was arrested following an investigation into a scam targeting a Centereach resident in 2024, according to Suffolk County Police.
The victim sought help after experiencing computer problems and contacted what he believed was a legitimate tech support service he found through an internet search, police said. During the call, the victim allowed remote access to his computer.
The purported service representative told the victim he was owed a $50 refund. The caller allegedly claimed an accidental deposit of $20,000 had been made instead of $20 and instructed the victim to return the money, minus the refund.
The victim later met a man in a Centereach parking lot and handed over $19,950 in cash. During the exchange, the victim photographed the man and his vehicle, according to police.
Financial Crimes Unit detectives identified Jiang as the suspect during their investigation, police said. Jiang was extradited from Connecticut on Tuesday, June 23, where he was being held on an unrelated case.
He was charged with Grand Larceny Third Degree and Petit Larceny, according to police. Jiang was held overnight at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank and was scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead on Wednesday, June 24.
Police are asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Jiang to contact the Suffolk County Police Financial Crimes Unit at 631-852-6821.
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