GREAT NECK PLAZA, N.Y. (1010 WINS) -- A man and woman were arrested earlier this week in an "elder scam" incident where a 70-year-old woman was defrauded out of thousands of dollars on Long Island, authorities said.
According to detectives, on Tuesday, July 11, a 70-year-old woman in Great Neck Plaza received a message on her computer, informing her that her computer had been compromised.
The victim then called a phone number that was displayed on the computer screen and was informed that she he would be receiving a call from the bank fraud department.
Shortly thereafter she received a phone call from Lizhuo Luo, who directed the victim to withdraw $20,000 and place the money in a blank envelope for a bank employee that would respond to her residence, officials said.
The victim complied and handed the envelope containing the cash to Yandan He, who claimed to be from the bank's fraud department, authorities said.
At 10 a.m. on July 12, the victim was contacted again by Luo who informed her that additional funds would be needed to unlock her bank accounts.
The victim then responded to her bank, where she was informed there were no holds on her account and that she had been the victim of a scam.
The victim contacted the police and following an investigation, detectives were able to place Luo, 39, of Queensbury, New York, and He, 36, of Brooklyn, under arrest on Wednesday.
Luo is charged with attempted grand larceny and resisting arrest. He was released on a desk appearance ticket.
Police charged He with grand larceny and attempted grand larceny. She will be arraigned on Thursday.
