Police: Man tried to collect about $75,000 in phone scam

A 38-year-old man is accused trying to steal about $75,000 from a Washington County resident through a phone scam.

The victim told State Police that they had been contacted by an unknown individual through an electronic device. The caller said that the person’s identity had been stolen. The person had contacted the victim multiple times to solicit money in order to “secure” their identity while the case was investigated, police said.

The scammer told the victim to turn over about $75,000 to a person who would pick up the funds from their Jackson home.

Wen G. Chen, of Hempstead, was arrested last week after he arrived to collect the money.

Chen was charged with attempted grand larceny and conspiracy. He was arraigned at the Washington County Centralized Arraignment Court and released on his own recognizance.

Chen was not the caller, State Police said. The caller has not been identified.