Monterey Co. Suspected Fraudster Cuffed By Deputies

Bay City News

A man was arrested this week in Monterey County on suspicion of running a sophisticated fraud scheme that targeted a resident, the Sheriff's Office said.

On July 12, a man opened a piece of mail that appeared to be from a well-known company. The suspects identified themselves as federal agents and convinced the victim to to provide his financial and personal identifying information. He was told federal agents had reason to believe he had committed various crimes and needed to provide them with a large amount of cash to prove his innocence. He was also told the cash would be used to catch the "real suspects." The man was warned not to contact local law enforcement.

The victim agreed to cooperate in order to clear his name, the Sheriff's Office said, and he withdrew a large amount of money from his bank account. A suspect arrived at his house posing as a federal agent and took the money from him. The victim later got another call from a suspect posing as a different federal agent. The fraudster demanded more money and again threatened to arrest him if he didn't cooperate.

On July 16, deputies located suspect Yang Liu, 34, of Alhambra after he allegedly drove to the victim's house expecting to collect money. Liu was arrested shortly after he arrived.

Liu was booked into county jail on suspicion of two counts of theft by false pretenses, theft from elders, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

More arrests are expected, according to the Sheriff's Office, but anyone who may have information helpful to this case is encouraged to call Detective Scariot at (831) 253-6076.

The Monterey Sheriff's Office wants to remind residents that fraudsters will often pose as law enforcement, customer service professionals or employees of well-known companies. Often victims are threatened with things like arrest if they don't comply.

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