Greenwich Police arrested a Flushing, NY man on Oct 15 after ORCA officers conducting surveillance targeting organized retail theft identified indicators suggesting financial and trending fraudulent crimes were being conducted in the area of Greenwich Ave around 1:00pm.
Police said the suspicious activity involved the arrestee, Deng Li, 31, utilizing an older model iPhone to purchase high value electronic merchandise at a local business.
During the investigation, officers determined that the arrestee was utilizing older model iPhones containing different iCloud accounts loaded with suspected fraudulent funds.
Based on training and experience, officers recognized this method as consistent with financial fraud schemes involving compromised accounts and fraudulently obtained funds.
Police said the circumstances of the investigation further indicated that the arrestee was working in coordination with other individuals to conduct these purchases.
As Mr. Li entered a nearby getaway vehicle, investigators conducted an investigative detention. The arrestee requested an attorney, and no further questioning was conducted.
A search of the arrestee’s vehicle which revealed nine older model iPhones, 17 FedEx shipping receipts, and six new iPhone 18 Pros.
Receipts were also located for the new iPhone purchases indicating numerous, varying accounts being utilized to make the purchases.
Based on the totality of the circumstances, including the use of older model iPhones, numerous iCloud accounts, suspicious payments methods, and coordinated purchasing activity, officers established probable cause that the accused was engaged in identity theft, criminal impersonation, and larceny.
Mr. Li’s was arrested and charged with Larceny 3, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 3, Identity Theft 3, Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft 3, Criminal Impersonation and Conspiracy to Commit/Criminal Impersonation.
His bond was set at $250,000, and he was assigned a date in Stamford Superior Court on Oct 16, 2026.