State Police arrest Brooklyn man for larceny following computer s...

Press Release

On July 31, 2024, State Police of Brunswick with the assistance of multiple federal and local agencies arrested Sheng T. Chen, 46, of Brooklyn, NY, for Grand Larceny in the third degree and Criminal Impersonation in the first degree.

On May 21, 2024, at about 5:17 p.m., Troopers were contacted by a Rensselaer County resident who advised that they believed they were the victim of a scam. The investigation determined that the victim had been contacted via computer by an individual who identified themselves as an agent of the Federal Communications Commission. The impersonator demanded payments, resulting in the theft of more than $25,000 in cash.

During the investigation, Chen was identified as an individual who allegedly picked up cash from the victim. At the time of the theft, he falsely presented himself as an agent of the Federal Communications Commission. Chen was identified with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center (CRCAC), the New York State Intelligence Center (NYSIC), and the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

Chen was arrested in New York City by HSI and NYPD and turned over to the New York State Police, who transported him to SP Brunswick for processing. Chen was arraigned at the Schaghticoke Town Court and remanded to the Rensselaer County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail. The investigation into additional suspects involved is ongoing.

The National Cyber Security Alliance provides beneficial information on their website related to online and computer scam prevention: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/programs/cisa-cybersecurity-awareness-program