US woman handed over RM141,000 to fraudster at her front door, cops say

The Nutley resident received an email that appeared to be from Microsoft, instructing her to call technical support. When she called the phone number listed on the email, she was transferred to someone who instructed her to make a series of bank withdrawals, the Nutley Police Department said. — Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-using-a-laptop-5257270/

A 76-year-old woman was scammed out of US$30,000 (RM141,795) after calling the phone number listed on a fake Microsoft email, police said.

The Nutley resident received an email that appeared to be from Microsoft, instructing her to call technical support. When she called the phone number listed on the email, she was transferred to someone who instructed her to make a series of bank withdrawals, the Nutley Police Department said.

The woman then visited multiple banks to withdraw a total of US$30,000 (RM141,795) and later handed the cash to a person who visited her house on Monday night, officials said.

Police have since arrested Huihua Chen, 49, of Queens, New York, authorities said. It was not clear what he was charged with or what his alleged role in the scam was. Investigators are still trying to identify accomplices.

A caller also contacted the victim again on Tuesday in an attempt to collect another US$15,000 (RM70,897), police said. – nj.com/Tribune News Service