Men Scam Elderly Woman Out Of $35K In Newport Beach, Police Say

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Two men were arrested after a Newport Beach resident reported to being defrauded out of $35,000 after receiving a fraudulent email, authorities said Thursday.

San Gabriel resident Haisong Shi, 52, and Costa Mesa resident Wei Xiong Chen, 25, were arrested for grand theft, attempted grand theft and conspiracy to commit grand theft, according to the Newport Beach Police Department.

The men are accused of sending a fraudulent email to the victim claiming that she had made a large credit card purchase. The email, according to police, contained a phone number directing the victim to call if the purported purchase was incorrect.

Upon calling the number, the suspects indicated they would refund the purchase, but "accidentally" deposited a large amount of money into the victim's bank account.

The victim was directed to go to the bank, withdraw the deposit, and hand it to an associate who arranged to meet up with the victim.

According to police, after the two suspects defrauded the victim, they called her the next day in an attempt to scam her out of more money.

However, the next attempt was thwarted by detectives from the Newport Beach Police Department, who took over the role of the "victim."

No further information was immediately available.