Man charged with trying to scam Long Island woman, 84, out of nearly $50G
Police said the woman received "a security alert on her computer" claiming to be from the Citibank's fraud department. Credit: Jonathan Singh
A Queens man has been arrested and at least one additional suspect is being sought in connection with an internet scam that saw an 84-year-old Long Island woman hand over almost $50,000 in separate incidents.
Nassau County police said the woman became suspicious after giving $30,000 in cash to a man claiming to be an FBI agent. She then contacted police, who made an arrest when a second man came to retrieve an additional $18,000 at her home in Manorhaven. police said.
The second suspect, identified as Han Bing Wu, 31, of Flushing, was charged with third-degree attempted grand larceny and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after, police said, arresting officers found him in possession of ketamine.
Wu pleaded not guilty at arraignment Friday in First District Court in Hempstead. He was released on no-cash bail.
He is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, which does not comment on cases.
Police said the woman received "a security alert on her computer" on Sunday claiming to be from the fraud department at Citibank. She then called a provided number and was told to withdraw $30,000 in cash from her bank — money she was then advised to hand over to an FBI agent who would be sent to retrieve it. Police said she complied with the request.
But, police said the victim soon realized she was being scammed — and called police.
Police said the woman was contacted again by the first suspect, who said she needed to hand over an additional $18,000. Police said Wu came to retrieve the funds, leading to his arrest.
Police said Wu was not the same suspect who made the first pickup.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the alleged scam or scammers to contact Sixth Squad detectives at 516-573-6653.
John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.
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