Chinese Illegal Immigrants Arrested for Preying on Elderly New Yorkers

Law enforcement officials have detained several individuals of Chinese origin accused of targeting vulnerable senior citizens in New York. Among those apprehended is Jian Chen, who was taken into custody on July 8 for allegedly scheming to steal $42,000 from a 63-year-old retiree in Potsdam near the St. Lawrence River. Chen supposedly later contacted the victim to meet and demanded an additional $98,000.

“It takes a real dirtbag to prey on our most vulnerable community members by attempting to swindle them out of their hard-earned savings,” stated an ICE official.

Suspect flanked by law enforcement officers — Federal officers detained multiple Chinese fraudsters accused of victimizing vulnerable New Yorkers. ice.gov

Another suspect, Rihui Yan, was arrested in Massena after attempting to defraud a senior couple out of $20,000. Yan is also wanted in Wyoming County for similar crimes.

Man in custody with officers — “It takes a real dirtbag to prey on our most vulnerable community members by attempting to swindle them out of their hard-earned savings,” said ICE ERO Deputy Field Office Director Joseph Freden. ice.gov

Homeland Security Investigations also arrested Hui Chen in Buffalo last October after a tip from local police led to his targeting of elderly individuals, including an attempt to steal $40,000 from a New Yorker.

“We will never stand idly by while bad actors — in this case, illegally present Chinese nationals — target innocent New Yorkers for their own selfish gain,” said Special Agent Erin Keegan, emphasizing the commitment to protecting communities and livelihoods.

Following the increase in illegal crossings under the Biden administration, which has seen thousands of Chinese nationals enter the U.S. illegally and be released, the Trump administration responded with a mass deportation initiative targeting the most serious offenders.