The Burbs (Sponsor: North End Motor Sales)

Auburn police nab woman in $20,000 mortgage scam attempt

  • Posted by The Burbs (Sponsor: North End Motor Sales) Thu at 11:14 PM - Filed in News - #Auburn  #crime  #Auburn Police Department  #larceny  - 834 views

    AUBURN — Auburn police arrested a woman who recently attempted to defraud a local couple out of $20,000 by posing as an undercover federal agent, authorities said.

    Officers were dispatched July 17th after the couple, while trying to pay off their mortgage balance, received a call from someone impersonating their bank. The caller instructed them to withdraw $20,000 in cash and await an undercover federal agent to collect it from their home.

    Shortly afterward, a woman identifying herself as an “FDIC agent” arrived near the residence. Realizing the ruse, the couple contacted Auburn police, who intercepted the woman as she walked away from the home.

    The suspect was identified as Andy Ng of Vancouver, British Columbia, and was arrested on a charge of attempted larceny under Massachusetts General Laws c. 266 § 30. A search of her vehicle, conducted under warrant, uncovered approximately $50,000 in cash believed to be tied to other scam victims.

    Detectives said they are working to return the seized funds to other identified victims and expect Ng to face additional charges in other jurisdictions. She was arraigned in Worcester District Court and held on $5,000 bail.

    Police urged residents to remain vigilant against online and telephone scams and reminded the public that neither law enforcement nor federal agents will ever come to a home to collect cash.

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