The incident began in July 2024, when the victim received a notification on her tablet that one of her accounts was hacked. She called the number supplied with the notification and became involved in a sophisticated scam designed to defraud her of thousands of dollars. Detectives learned that the victim completed a wire transfer for a large amount of money to an international bank and a cash transaction with a subject claiming to be a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. Following these exchanges, the victim realized she was being scammed and contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to report the crime.

While the incident was under investigation, on August 15th, 2024, the suspects attempted to arrange another large cash exchange.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit and Digital Investigations Forensic Unit planned and executed an operation. Ultimately, one suspect arrived at the victim’s residence believing they were going to get $15,000 from the victim. Instead, he was arrested, had his vehicle impounded, and went to jail.

The suspect was identified as Wang Fangzheng (23) of New York. Wang is currently being held at the Washington County Detention Center.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reminds the community of ways to recognize a scam; these common signs could help you avoid one.

Four Signs That It’s a Scam

1. Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know. Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government. They might use a real name, like the FTC, Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations. They use technology to change the phone number on your caller ID. So, the name and number you see might not be real.

2. Scammers say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE. They might say you’re in trouble with the government. Or you owe money. Or someone in your family had an emergency. Or that there’s a virus on your computer. Some scammers say there’s a problem with one of your accounts and that you must verify some information. Others will lie and say you won money in a lottery or sweepstakes but have to pay a fee to get it.

3. Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately. Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. They might tell you not to hang up if you’re on the phone, so you can’t check out their story. They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s or business license, or deport you. They might say your computer is about to be corrupted.

4. Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way. They often insist that you can only pay by using cryptocurrency, wiring money through a company like MoneyGram or Western Union, using a payment app, or putting money on a gift card and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card.

Some will send you a check (that will later turn out to be fake), then tell you to deposit it and send them money.

For more information on how to avoid scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam