Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz with New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea today announced that Guang Jin of 38th Avenue, Flushing has been charged with grand larceny, identity theft and other crimes for allegedly using fake identification to buy and lease several luxury autos in other people’s names. One of the victims in this case was the defendant’s terminally ill uncle.

District Attorney Katz said, “We are coming after con artists and crooks who run scams to enrich themselves at the expense of others. This defendant is accused of stealing his dying uncle’s identity and going on a shopping spree for luxury automobiles. Others were also allegedly victimized when the defendant used forged documents to acquired cars in their names. This kind of thievery is inexcusable. The defendant is in custody and will be held accountable for his alleged actions. I want to thank my team and the NYPD’s Auto Crime Division and Queens North Grand Larceny Squad for their hard work throughout this investigation.”

Jin, 33, was arraigned last night before Queens Criminal Court Joanne Watters on two separate complaints charging him with grand larceny in the second and third degree, attempted grand larceny in the second degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the second, third and fifth degree, identity theft in the first degree and criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree. Judge Watters set the defendant’s return date for September 28, 2020.

In a third complaint, the defendant along with his live-in companion Hua Shen, 34, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third and seventh degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and unlawful possession of personal identification in the second degree. If convicted Jin, faces up to 12 years in prison. Shen, if convicted, could be incarcerated for up to 9 years.

According to the charges, on March 9, 2019, defendant Jin and an unidentified individual shopped at a luxury car dealership in Westbury, Long Island. Using his uncle’s identification, Jin allegedly purchased a 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia and leased a 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The defendant and his accomplice drove off the lot in the cars, valued at more than $46,000 each.

DA Katz said that the victim’s son-in-law told investigators that Jin visited his uncle at home several times in January 2019, after the elderly man had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. After Jin’s visits, the son-in-law stated that the dying man began to receive bills from various merchants, credit card companies, as well as letters denying credit. The son-in-law, who held power of attorney for the victim, stated he never authorized these purchases or applied for credit in the victim’s name.

According to the charges, Jin’s uncle returned to his homeland in China and died in August 2019.

The District Attorney said in July 2019, the defendant visited a car dealership on Northern Boulevard in Woodside, Queens. He allegedly showed a driver’s license bearing the name of another man and purchased a 2019 Ford Mustang with a price tag of $52,000.

According to the charges, Jin repeated this scheme again in May 2020, when he used a driver’s license, social security card and a credit card – all bearing the name of another victim – and attempted to purchase a Mercedes Benz GLC300. The sales person did not complete the necessary paperwork. On June 2, 2020, he allegedly leased a 2020 Lexus NX300 using the same forged ID, social security number and credit card.

DA Katz said yesterday a court-authorized search warrant was executed at the 38th Avenue home of defendants Jin and Shen. Police allegedly recovered more than 250 pieces of personal identification, 187 credit cards and more than 27 photo IDs and other items detailing the personal information of various victims. Police also seized more than 40 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of heroin.

The joint investigation was conducted by Detective Cathy Martinez of the New York City Police Department’s Auto Crime Division, under the supervision of Lieutenant Joseph May along with the Queens District Attorney’s Detective Bureau’s Sergeant Ronald Georg, under the supervision of Lieutenant John Kenna, Deputy Chief Daniel O’Brien, and under the overall supervision of Chief Edwin Murphy.

The District Attorney would like to give special thanks to Detective HeeJin Park Dance, under the supervision of Sergeant Frank Tehran and Lieutenant William Negus of the NYPD Queens DA Squad; and to Detectives Michael Russo and Troy Prescod, under the supervision of Captain Patrick Davis, of the NYPD’s Queens North Grand Larceny Squad, for providing invaluable assistance throughout the investigation.

Assistant District Attorney John L. Mason, of the District Attorney’s Major Economic Crimes Bureau, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Mary Lowenburg, Bureau Chief, Catherine C. Kane, Deputy Bureau Chief, Hana Kim, Unit Chief, for Auto Crimes and Insurance Fraud, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Gerard A. Brave.