SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas - A McKinney man was arrested after investigators interrupted an alleged scam targeting an elderly resident and took him into custody as he attempted to collect $44,000 in cash, according to the Sulphur Springs Police Department.
The investigation began over the weekend after an elderly victim reported being contacted by individuals falsely claiming to represent the Federal Trade Commission.
According to police, the scammers told the victim that her bank account had been used to purchase harmful or illegal materials. They instructed her to withdraw a large amount of cash and said an agent would come to her home to collect the money to resolve the alleged issue.
Working with the victim, criminal investigators with the Sulphur Springs Police Department organized an undercover operation.
During the operation, a man later identified as Hung-Chi Chen of McKinney arrived at the victim's residence to collect $44,000 in cash.
Investigators allowed Chen to leave the residence before conducting a traffic stop and taking him into custody without incident.
Chen was booked into the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office Jail on a charge of theft from an elderly individual involving property valued between $30,000 and $150,000, a second-degree felony.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department said it has received numerous reports of similar scams in recent years and is urging residents to discuss these schemes with elderly family members, friends and neighbors.
Authorities remind the public that legitimate government agencies do not send representatives to collect cash from residents to resolve investigations or financial issues.
