Camarillo police arrest suspect in $84,000 elder scam using fake McAfee calls

Camarillo detectives arrested a man on June 30, 2026, accused of stealing $84,000 from a 70-year-old resident through a phone scam that impersonated McAfee Security, per the Ventura County Sheriff's July 1 release.

The victim received a call from someone claiming to work for "McAfee Security," who said the man's bank account may have been compromised, according to the Nixle alert. The caller provided accurate bank details to appear legitimate. Over several days, the suspect convinced the victim to withdraw $84,000 in cash and hand it to a supposed McAfee employee along with a verbal security code.

Days later, after realizing he had been scammed, the victim reported the incident to the Camarillo Police Department.

On June 30, detectives contacted Binchao Cen while he was driving to meet what they believed was another potential victim, the alert states. Officers took him into custody. Cen was carrying a large amount of cash and a modified air-soft handgun. Detectives later served a search warrant at a residence in the 3000 block of Muscatel Avenue in Rosemead.

Cen was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on charges of theft by false pretenses (PC 532), grand theft (PC 487), and theft from an elder adult (PC 368(d)(1)). Bail was set at $500,000, according to the release.

The Sheriff's Office urged residents to verify unsolicited calls claiming computer or bank security issues, and directed anyone who suspects a scam to contact the Camarillo Police Station at (805) 388-5100 or file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.