Norwood Police Arrest and Charge New York Man in Connection with Scamming Resident

NORWOOD — Chief Christopher Padden reports that the Norwood Police Department arrested and charged a New York man in connection with a scam that stole tens of thousands of dollars from a resident.

YAT CHING CHAU, AGE 37, of BROOKLYN, NY, was arrested and charged with:

• Attempting to Commit a Crime (Larceny Over $1,200 by False Pretense)
• Conspiracy to Commit Larceny Over $1,200 by False Pretense
• Possession of a Class E Substance (two counts)

On Monday, May 5, the Norwood Police Department was contacted by a 67-year-old resident who believed they had been the victim of a scam. Through an investigation, Norwood Police Detectives determined that a sophisticated scammer called the resident on May 2, identifying themselves as an employee of a technology company.

The scammer said the resident’s bank account was compromised and that she needed to deposit $30,000 into a Bitcoin ATM. The resident was unsuccessful in depositing the money into multiple Bitcoin ATMs and agreed to have the money picked up at her house.

The money was picked up on May 3, at which time the resident was told she would need to provide more money in the future.

Detectives launched an investigation and conducted surveillance on May 7 and 8, when the resident received additional calls from the scammers.

On Thursday, May 8, at approximately 3:30 p.m., after conducting lengthy surveillance in the area and identifying a vehicle believed to be connected to the investigation, Norwood Police conducted a motor vehicle stop and identified the driver as CHAU, a Chinese national.

As part of their investigation, Detectives linked CHAU as an alleged co-conspirator to the scam calls, including evidence that he was directed to pick up $30,000 from a residential address in Norwood.

CHAU was taken into custody without incident and booked at the Norwood Police Department.

CHAU was arraigned Friday in Dedham District Court and held on $50,000 bail.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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