According to detectives with the Nassau County Police Department's Electronic Squad Fraud and Forgery Section, the victim received a phone call claiming she was involved in a crime in India and needed to withdraw money to resolve the matter.
Police said the woman complied and, between June 29 and July 27, withdrew and wired a total of $919,200.
On Sept. 1, the victim was contacted again and instructed to purchase an additional $300,000 in gold bars and coins, according to police. The woman then realized she was being scammed and contacted authorities.
Following what police described as an extensive investigation, detectives located and arrested Fnu Tierigeli, 32, of Woodside, on Sept. 2 in Hicksville. Police said the arrest was made without incident.
Tierigeli was charged with attempted grand larceny in the second degree. She was scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 3 at First District Court in Hempstead.
The Nassau County Police Department urged residents to remain alert to potential scams and fraud schemes and to remind vulnerable family members, friends and neighbors of the risks.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a scam can contact the Nassau County Fraud and Forgery Section at 516-573-2815 or call 911. Police said callers may remain anonymous.