A fraud investigation involving a loss of more than $200,000 has led to an arrest in Macon County.
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after receiving a report from a county resident in mid-August. Because of the size and apparent complexity of the case, the Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI.
Investigators subsequently arrested 31-year-old Tsou Ming-Hsuan, a citizen of Taiwan who authorities said was in the United States on a visa.
Ming-Hsuan was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense and felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. Authorities have not publicly described the precise method allegedly used to obtain the money or disclosed whether investigators believe other people were involved.
The charges remain allegations. Ming-Hsuan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The case comes as law-enforcement agencies across Western North Carolina warn residents about financial schemes involving impersonation, fraudulent investment opportunities and callers claiming that money must be withdrawn or transferred immediately.
Authorities advise residents to independently verify unexpected financial requests before sending money, providing account information or meeting someone to hand over cash. A bank should be contacted through a known telephone number rather than one contained in an unsolicited message.
Victims should preserve text messages, emails, telephone numbers, receipts and transaction records. Promptly notifying a financial institution may help investigators trace the money and, in some circumstances, stop a pending transfer.
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active. Additional information may be released as the case proceeds through the court system.
