WASHINGTON TWP. — A man accused of targeting an 83-year-old Washington Twp. man in a fraud case has been arrested.
Weihong Lian, 48, was recently arrested by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the RANGE Task Force and the Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force, and charged with theft by deception, a felony.
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An investigation was launched after an 83-year-old man received a fraudulent virus notification on his computer, urging him to contact Microsoft.
The victim contacted Lian over the phone and Lian reportedly led him to believe that his banking information had been compromised. Lian allegedly “deceived the victim by connecting him with an individual posing as a representative from his bank,” according to a spokesperson from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
The individual convinced the man to withdraw “substantial amounts of money” to safeguard his funds.
On the day of the intended money retrieval, investigators were able to arrest Lian, who had come to Montgomery County from out-of-state. On top of the theft by deception charge, Lian is being held on an immigration detainer.
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“My office is committed to protecting our community from these deceptive criminals who prey on vulnerable individuals,” said Sheriff Rob Streck. “This operation serves as a reminder for all residents to remain vigilant and educated about fraud prevention.”
The Sheriff’s office says if you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, it is crucial to contact your local law enforcement immediately.
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