Converse Woman Loses $22K in Scam, Suspect Arrested

A 78-year-old Converse woman continues to heal from her emotional and financial loss after falling victim to a heartbreaking scam last October when she lost her entire $22,000 savings.

According to KSAT 12 News, authorities have arrested Huijie Ying, 44, and charged her with financial abuse of the elderly.

The victim said she was mourning the death of her husband when she got a phone call from a man identified as a government fraud investigator. He informed her that some suspicious withdrawals were made on her debit card in the United States and even in Russia.

The call reportedly lasted most of the day. During that time, the man gained her trust, even telling her he would be “the son she never had.” Afraid her bank account was compromised, she followed his instructions.

She withdrew $22,000 in cash and was told to meet a woman known as “Coco” in a Walmart parking lot.

She handed over the box of cash at the Walmart on Toepperwein Road.

Investigators then looked at video footage showing Ying buying gas with a credit card. Other transactions led them to Houston, helping them ID the suspect.

Authorities say Ying was arrested in Houston a week before and booked into the Bexar County Jail this past Tuesday. Court records show she'd been to Canada and back to Texas before her arrest.

Police think Ying may have been working with others to target seniors. Right now, they haven't ID'd the person who made the first call.

Even with the arrest, the victim says she finds little comfort. The money she lost was meant to support her in her later years. She has since sold her car to manage expenses.

Her advice to others is simple and direct:

“Just hang up immediately. Don’t stay on the phone.”

Local officials have been warning residents about similar scams. Recently, Javier Salazar discussed cases where victims were pressured to withdraw large sums of cash.

Salazar has suggested that there should be scam warning signs around ATMs and withdrawal points. He also intends to discuss the matter with the San Antonio City Council to see an ordinance that would aid in preventing similar cases in the future.

The case seems like a sad lesson that fear, a sense of urgency, and emotional appeals can so easily be used by scammers to play on trust, particularly among the elderly.

In case of receiving a call out of the blue stating that it is by the government agency or a fraud investigator, hang up and confirm the information with your bank or the formal agency.