Scammers Target Poughkeepsie Senior, Steal Significant Amount of Money

Senior Citizen Scammed out of a "Substantial Amount of Money" In Poughkeepsie

The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department shared details of an arrest connected to an "organized scheme" to defraud a senior citizen.

According to a press release, Town of Poughkeepsie PD arrested Guiming Zhu, 43, from Brooklyn, New York. Zhu allegedly scammed a senior citizen after contacting her by phone.

Zhu posed as a "representative of a local financial institution and the FBI." The Town of Poughkeepsie Police write:

Through manipulation and deception, the scammer coerced the victim into handing over a substantial amount of money during in-person exchanges at the victim's residence.

Thankfully the woman realized she was being scammed and reported the incident to the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.

Scammer Arrested on Long Island

The press release continues, explaining that through a joint investigation with the Village of Northport Police Department on Long Island they were able to identify the suspect.

Zhu was taken into custody without incident on November 17th, 2025, and charge with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree. Both Class D felonies.

The suspect was arraigned in the Town of Poughkeepsie Court and "subsequently released under the supervision of the Dutchess Count Probation Department."

Other New York Scams To Be on The Lookout For

In the press releases the Town of Poughkeepsie Police added a safety tip, writing:

The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department urges residents, particularly senior citizens, to remain vigilant against computer and telephone scams and to report any suspicious activity to their local law enforcement agency immediately.

Recently the New York State Department of Health issued a warning to New York residents of a new scam.

READ MORE: NYS Health Officials Warn Residents About Emerging Scam

The NYS DOH reports that some New Yorkers were receiving phone calls from scammer mimicking Department of Health employees. The scammers went as far as to make their caller ID come up as "NYS Department of Health" making the scam even more believable.

The fake DOH employees would then ask for information about a controlled substance prescription.

Visit  the Department of State website and their Scam Prevention home page for tips on how to keep yourself and family safe from scammers.