2 Charged in Alleged Computer Scam

Two New York City men are facing charges for allegedly scamming a local woman out of more than $50,000.

According to Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast, the 77-year-old resident of Tumble Creek Road in Williams Township was experiencing computer problems earlier this summer when she “was advised to contact Microsoft support.”

Police said the woman subsequently spoke to a man named “Kevin Davis” who told her that her computer had been hacked.

Davis allegedly told the woman her bank account had been compromised and that money was needed to pay for an investigation into the hacking.

Police said the woman proceeded to hand over approximately $51,000 in gift cards and cash withdrawn from her bank to a courier who would come to her home. They said the courier was supposedly taking the funds to Davis “to give to an attorney who was investigating her case.”

According to a news release, state troopers staged an operation “to take the involved couriers into custody” which resulted in the July 3 arrests of 31-year-old Quan Lin and 34-year-old Xueneng Yan, both of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Northampton County court records indicated that both men are charged with Conspiracy and Theft By Deception (Felony 1).

As of Aug. 11, both men were incarcerated in Northampton County Prison, with Yan’s bail set at $250,000 and Lin’s bail at 10 percent of $500,000 following a July 16 court-ordered change in his bail percentage. Lin’s bail was originally set at $250,000.

According to the dockets filed in the case, Lin is being represented by attorney Bruce Thomas of Easton while Yan is being represented by attorney Todd Henry of Philadelphia.

A preliminary hearing for Yan was scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m. before District Judge Daniel Corpora. A preliminary hearing for Lin was scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. before Corpora, according to court papers.

Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty. This story was compiled using information from Pennsylvania State Police Troop M and Northampton County court records.