A man accused of posing as part of a tech support scam was arrested Tuesday after allegedly convincing a Centereach resident to hand over $19,950 in cash during a scheme that began with an online search for computer help.
According to Suffolk County Police, the incident occurred in 2024 when a Centereach man experienced computer problems and contacted what he believed was a legitimate tech support service after conducting an internet search. During the call, the victim granted remote access to his computer.
Police said the purported service representative told the victim he was owed a $50 refund. The representative allegedly claimed an initial deposit was supposed to be $20 but mistakenly deposited $20,000 instead. The victim was then told he needed to return the money, minus the refund amount.
The victim later met a man in a Centereach parking lot and handed over $19,950. During the exchange, the victim photographed the man and his vehicle.
Following an investigation by Suffolk County Police Financial Crimes Unit detectives, authorities identified Ande Jiang, 27, from Highland Hills, NY, as the person allegedly responsible. Jiang was extradited Tuesday from Connecticut, where he had been in custody on another case, police said.
Jiang was charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Petit Larceny. He was scheduled to be held overnight at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank and arraigned Wednesday in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.
Police are asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Jiang to contact the Suffolk County Police Financial Crimes Unit at 631-852-6821.
The charges are accusations, and Jiang is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
