A Columbus woman who allegedly partook in a scheme to swindle hundreds of thousands of dollars from friends and family was arrested Wednesday.
Melanie Chen was taken into custody in Salt Lake City by U.S. Marshals, 10TV News reported.
Chen, 29, and her husband, Phylip, both face theft and receiving stolen property charges in connection with an alleged scheme that netted them more than $700,000 from sympathetic friends and family members, 10TV News reported.
"The two of them claimed that (Phylip) was dying of cancer and that they didn't have any money," Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost told 10TV News earlier this month.
The couple allegedly collected money over a three-year period, primarily from Taiwanese family members, prosecutors said.
Yost said the scam began to unravel when donors questioned the husband's health because he did not appear to be ill despite supposedly having cancer for several years.
An arrest warrant was issued for Melanie Chen earlier this month when she failed to appear for court hearing in Delaware County.
Her husband has pleaded not guilty in the case.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.
Previous Story:
April 7, 2009: Prosecutors Charge Couple In Caner Scam
