(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 42-year-old native and citizen of China has been denied a bond hearing while in federal immigration custody following allegations that he took $53,000 from an elderly woman in Ogdensburg.

According to court documents, Chun Yan traveled approximately six hours from Brooklyn to the Ogdensburg area on February 24, 2026.

Authorities allege Yan participated in a scam in which the elderly woman was falsely told that a federal agent would freeze her assets unless she paid the Federal Trade Commission.

The woman reportedly gave Yan $53,000 in cash.

Court documents state that Yan returned to the victim’s home less than a month later and allegedly attempted to obtain another $50,000.

On March 19, 2026, the Ogdensburg Police Department arrested Yan. He was charged with:

• Grand Larceny in the Second Degree
• Attempted Grand Larceny in the Second Degree
• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree

Yan was released by local law enforcement the following day. He was subsequently arrested and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and remains in federal immigration custody pending removal proceedings.

Yan later filed an immigration habeas petition seeking release, stating that he was “randomly arrested by ICE.”

U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca denied the petition. The ruling cited the Laken Riley Act, which requires immigration detention for certain noncitizens who are arrested for or charged with specified crimes at the time of their immigration detention.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Yan entered the United States illegally from Mexico in 2023.

The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel B. Moar.

The allegations against Yan are contained in court documents, and the criminal charges remain allegations unless proven in court.