Alleged Phone Scammer Arrested in Hudson Valley Sting Operation

Police set up a controlled call and meeting to nab the suspect trying to rip off an elderly victim.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:21am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled $100 bill against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the financial exploitation at the heart of this phone scam.A sting operation by New Windsor police exposes the harsh realities of phone scams targeting vulnerable elderly residents in the Hudson Valley.Washington Today

Police in New Windsor, New York arrested a 46-year-old Brooklyn man named Wenxi Wang after he showed up to collect $30,000 in cash from an elderly victim of an alleged phone scam. The victim had received a call from someone claiming to be from Apple and demanding the money to resolve unauthorized charges, but the victim contacted the authorities instead of handing over the cash. Police set up a sting operation, and when Wang arrived to collect the money, he was promptly arrested and charged with attempted grand larceny.

Why it matters

Phone scams that target the elderly continue to be a major problem, with criminals using fear and a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into sending large sums of money. This sting operation highlights law enforcement's efforts to protect vulnerable residents and catch these alleged perpetrators.

The details

According to the New Windsor Police Department, bank workers contacted authorities on Tuesday after an elderly man attempted to withdraw a large sum of money. The victim said he had received a call from someone with a Washington D.C. area code claiming to be from Apple and demanding $30,000 in cash to resolve supposed unauthorized charges. With the help of bank personnel, the victim realized something was not right and contacted the police instead of sending the money. Detectives then set up a controlled phone call and arranged a meeting with the suspect. When Wenxi Wang showed up to collect the cash, he was promptly arrested and charged with Attempted Grand Larceny in the third degree, a Class E felony.

  • On Tuesday, bank workers contacted authorities about an elderly man attempting to withdraw a large sum of money.
  • Police set up a sting operation and arrested Wenxi Wang when he arrived to collect the cash.

The players

Wenxi Wang

A 46-year-old man from Brooklyn who was arrested and charged with Attempted Grand Larceny in the third degree for allegedly participating in a phone scam targeting an elderly Hudson Valley resident.

New Windsor Police Department

The law enforcement agency that set up the sting operation and arrested Wenxi Wang after he arrived to collect the cash from the elderly victim.

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What’s next

Wenxi Wang is scheduled to appear in New Windsor Justice Court on May 5 to face the charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the continued threat of phone scams targeting the elderly, and the importance of law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable residents from these predatory schemes. It serves as a reminder for all Hudson Valley residents to be cautious of unsolicited calls demanding immediate cash payments or personal information.