STEUBEN COUNTY, N.Y. — A Campbell man has been arrested following an investigation into an attempted extortion scheme carried out over social media.
New York State Police say 24-year-old Andrew Kidder is charged with attempted grand larceny in the third degree as a hate crime, a Class C felony.
The investigation began in early February after a Steuben County resident reported being targeted through a dating app. Authorities say the victim exchanged messages and images with an unknown individual, who later threatened to release sensitive personal information unless money or valuables were provided.
Investigators used digital evidence and subpoenas to social media platforms to identify Kidder as the suspect. Police say he created and used fraudulent accounts to carry out the scheme.
Kidder was taken into custody at his home in Campbell on March 17. He was processed at the state police barracks in Bath and transported to the Steuben County Jail for further proceedings.
