Benny Cai, 43, was arrested in Tarrytown Sept. 24 after police say he collected a second payment from an elderly victim of a fake Apple alert. The victim gave about $29,000 in cash the day before after scammers used remote access to display a false $50,000 deposit.
Police charged Cai with first-degree scheme to defraud, fourth-degree grand larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. They said cocaine was recovered. Cai was arraigned Sept. 25, released on his own recognizance and scheduled to appear again Sept. 30.
Tarrytown police said they believe Cai is associated with an organized group targeting elderly victims and are continuing efforts to identify others allegedly involved. Apple warns that some security alerts may be fraudulent and advises checking suspicious messages through official support channels. The FTC advises contacting companies through a known legitimate number, not one supplied in an unexpected message.
