State police arrested a New York City man after troopers say he showed up to collect thousands of dollars from a Cayuga County scam victim.
Troopers charged 43-year-old Xueyu Luo following an undercover operation in the town of Brutus.
The case started February 11 when a Weedsport resident reported losing $18,500 to someone posing as a “Microsoft” employee. Investigators said the scammer told the victim to wire the money and later instructed him to prepare another $22,400 in cash for pickup at his home.
State Police in Auburn and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation set up a controlled operation at the victim’s residence.
At about 4:19 p.m. February 12, Luo arrived in a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and walked up to the house to pick up what he believed was a package containing $22,400 in cash. Troopers immediately took him into custody without incident.
During a search after the arrest, troopers found about eight grams of a substance that field-tested positive for ketamine on Luo. They also found additional suspected ketamine inside the vehicle.
Investigators charged Luo with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a class C felony, and attempted grand larceny in the third degree, a class D felony.
Troopers processed him at SP Auburn and transported him to the Cayuga County Jail for CAP arraignment.
State police reminded the public that legitimate companies, including Microsoft or financial institutions, will not request wire transfers or in-person cash pickups to fix account issues. They urge anyone who believes they have fallen victim to a scam to contact local law enforcement right away.
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