HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies in Hillsborough County have taken 40-year-old Min Chen into custody following a sting operation that halted an ongoing fraud scheme targeting an elderly resident. The investigation began on February 23, 2026, when detectives were notified that an 81-year-old woman living on Loneoak View Drive in Lithia was being actively scammed.
Investigators report that the scheme began when the victim clicked on a malicious email, allowing the suspects to gain remote access to her computer. The scammers then convinced the woman they had accidentally deposited $50,000 into her bank account and needed the money returned.
Believing the story, the woman withdrew $24,000 in cash and handed it over to a courier. Following that initial exchange, the courier provided her with a fraudulent receipt and scheduled a second pickup for an additional $25,000 the next day.
Detectives stepped in on February 24 to coordinate the second transaction. They prepared a package containing $25,000 in simulated currency for the victim to hand over.
Surveillance units watched as Min Chen arrived at the home to collect the money. He was arrested shortly after at a nearby plaza, where deputies discovered the simulated cash had been removed from its packaging and placed on his vehicle’s center console.
Upon his arrest, Chen informed authorities that he is a Canadian citizen originally from China and is not a U.S. citizen. He now faces multiple charges, including Organized Fraud of a Person 65 Years of Age or Older, Theft from Persons 65 Years of Age or Older, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.
“This arrest demonstrates our commitment to protecting our senior citizens from those who seek to exploit them,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We encourage families to speak with elderly loved ones about common scam tactics and to report suspicious activity immediately.”
While Chen is in custody, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation remains ongoing to determine if others were involved in the operation.
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