A Florida scam routed through a Glenmont store led to arrest of Albany man

Friday, May 17, 2024 - 18:35

— Photo from Bethlehem Police Department

BETHLEHEM — An Albany man was arrested by Bethlehem Police on Tuesday for a scam in Lake County, Florida.

Ming Shan Zhu, 33, was charged with third-degree larceny, a felony.

A release from the Bethlehem Police Department said events unfolded this way:

A victim in Lake County was phoned by a man saying he was from Microsoft and needed $8,500 in Lowes gift cards to repair the victim’s computer. The victim went to Lowes and bought 17 gift cards worth $500 each and then gave the card numbers to the scammer over the phone.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office traced the gift card transaction to the Lowes at 241 Route 9W in Glenmont and then detectives from the Bethlehem Police Department were then able to trace the transaction that occurred at Lowes in Glenmont to Ming Shan Zhu.

He was arraigned by Justice Ryan Donovan in Bethlehem Town Court and released. A return date was set for June 4 at 4 p.m.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer

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