A 29-year-old man from Brooklyn, identified as Bishi Zhu, was arrested in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, for allegedly orchestrating a computer scam that defrauded victims of $30,000. This arrest came after a victim realized they had been scammed and reported the incident to the police.
The situation began on September 12 around 5 PM, when a Dartmouth resident contacted authorities with concerns about a potential fraud. The victim detailed how their computer had suddenly shown a pop-up message claiming it had been hacked, instructing them to call “Apple Security” and providing a number to dial.
When the victim called the number, they spoke with someone claiming to be an Apple Security representative. This person informed the victim that their bank account had been compromised and that their personal information was being misused for illicit activities.
Shortly thereafter, another caller, who said they were an employee of the victim’s bank, reached out to confirm that unauthorized access to their account had occurred. The supposed bank employee stressed the urgency of withdrawing funds and moving them to a new account. The scammer insisted the victim withdraw $15,000 on two separate occasions over two days, even sending someone to the victim’s home to collect the cash.
Believing the situation to be genuine, the victim complied and withdrew a total of $30,000 from the bank. Over the next two days, a young man came to the victim’s residence to pick up the cash during two different transactions. However, after these events unfolded, the victim’s suspicions grew, prompting them to report the scam to the police.
On September 13, detectives from the Dartmouth Police Department launched an investigation. With help from other officers, they set up a plan for the victim to call the scammer in an effort to trap him. About eight hours later, a man arrived near the victim’s home to collect what he believed would be more cash, but this time he was met by law enforcement. Bishi Zhu was arrested and charged with attempted larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny. The investigation is still ongoing.
Authorities are urging the public to stay alert and cautious when receiving communications from unknown sources, including phone calls, text messages, emails, and other contacts. If you encounter any suspicious or unfamiliar messages, it’s recommended not to engage and to consult someone you trust.
