AUBURN — A tech support scam that began with a computer pop-up led to the arrest of two New Jersey men attempting to collect $300,000 in gold from a victim in the Wegmans parking lot, authorities said.
The victim reported that on March 11, she received what appeared to be a Microsoft alert on her computer with a phone number to call for assistance.
After calling the number, she was transferred between individuals claiming to represent Microsoft support, her bank, and a federal official.
The scammers falsely informed the victim she was under investigation for identity theft and faced federal imprisonment if she didn’t comply with their demands.
According to police, the victim was instructed to withdraw money and deliver it to an individual waiting in a public parking lot.
Following the initial payment, the scammers continued contacting the victim in attempts to extort additional funds.
SP Auburn Bureau of Criminal Investigation worked with the victim to conduct controlled phone calls, setting up another exchange.
On April 29, State Police arrested Shabeer Ahmad, 58, and Mohammad Zaid Zahi Modan, 21, both of New Jersey, at the Wegmans parking lot in Auburn.
The suspects were taken into custody while attempting to retrieve a package they believed contained $300,000 worth of gold from someone they thought was the original victim.
Both Ahmad and Modan were charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 2nd degree, a class C felony.
The suspects were processed at SP Auburn without incident and transported to the Cayuga County Jail for CAP arraignment.
The New York State Police were assisted by the Auburn Police Department and the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains ongoing.
