Apache Junction Police Department recently arrested two people suspected of stealing $82,000 from a local resident in a scam.

On March 4, AJPD responded to a fraud case involving an 86-year-old Apache Junction resident. The victim received an email about a payment she didn’t recognize and responded to dispute the charge. Shortly after, she got a call from a man claiming he would issue a refund — but first, she needed to click a link which allowed him remote access to her computer to issue the refund.

The scam escalated when the suspect falsely claimed he had refunded too much money and pressured the victim to withdraw cash from her bank to return the overpayment, police said.

On two separate days, a courier arrived at the victims house to collect two payments totaling over $82,000 in cash which was obtained at the bank in large bills. The suspect who picked up the cash was identified as a young Asian male.

On March 7, AJPD’s Criminal Enforcement and Research Unit assisted detectives in apprehending the suspect who was once again responding to the victim’s home to collect additional cash. A second suspect was arrested with him. The suspects, identified as a 19-year-old Asian male and a 20-year-old Asian male, were arrested and booked into the Pinal County Detention Facility for conspiracy, money laundering and fraud schemes, police said.

Police are seeking assistance in identifying additional victims in Apache Junction who are being defrauded of cash through schemes. If you believe you are a victim of a similar scheme, contact the police department in your jurisdiction.

Apache Junction police recommend the following:

• Never give remote access to your computer to someone you don’t know.
• Legitimate companies and government agencies will never request refunds or payments in cash, Bitcoin or gift cards.
• If you receive a suspicious email, contact the company directly using a verified phone number.
• Report fraud immediately to local law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission.