Posted on: May 02, 2025 03:55 PM

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Two suspects taken into custody in ongoing larceny investigation

On March 11, 2025, the victim reported receiving a pop-up on her computer that appeared to be from Microsoft. After calling the number provided, she was transferred to individuals posing as Microsoft support, her bank, and a federal official. She was falsely told she was under investigation for identity theft and could be federally imprisoned. The victim was directed to withdraw money and deliver it to a person in a public parking lot.

Following the incident, the scammers continued to contact the victim in an attempt to extort additional money. SP Auburn Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted controlled phone calls with the victim to ultimately set up another exchange.

On April 29, 2025, SP Auburn members arrested two suspects, Shabeer Ahmad, age 58, of New Jersey, and Mohammad Zaid Zahi Modan, age 21, of New Jersey, in the Wegmans parking lot in Auburn. The suspects were taken into custody while attempting to retrieve a package they believed contained $300,000 worth of gold from an individual whom they suspected to be the original victim. Troopers assisted with the arrest and transport of both suspects. Ahmad and Modan were each charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 2nd (C Felony). They were processed at SP Auburn without incident and were transported to the Cayuga County Jail for CAP arraignment.

The New York State Police were assisted by the Auburn Police Department and the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation remains ongoing.

From NYSP