Princetown Woman Arrested for $250,000 Online Extortion Scheme
PRINCETOWN, NY – State Police arrested a 29-year-old Angelica woman on Tuesday for allegedly extorting more than $250,000 from a victim through online threats over the course of a year.
Charlee J. Cobin was taken into custody at her Allegany County home on June 25, 2025, and charged with Grand Larceny in the second degree following an investigation by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at Princetown.
Details of the Investigation
The case began on May 22, 2025, when State Police BCI received a complaint from the Schenectady County District Attorney’s office at approximately 10:48 a.m. A local resident had reported being the victim of an extortion scheme.
According to investigators, Cobin first made contact with the victim through online communications in April 2024. During their digital correspondence, Cobin allegedly began requesting money from the victim. When the victim initially refused to provide funds, police say Cobin escalated her tactics by threatening to expose their private communications publicly, which would have caused the victim “significant embarrassment and ridicule.”
The extortion scheme reportedly continued for an entire year, from April 2024 through April 2025, during which time Cobin allegedly extracted more than$250,000 from the victim through these threats.
Legal Proceedings
Following her arrest at her residence in Allegany County, Cobin was transported to State Police Princetown for processing. She was subsequently arraigned at Schenectady City Court, where she was released on her own recognizance pending future court appearances.
Grand Larceny in the second degree is a Class C felony in New York State, typically involving theft of property valued at more than$50,000. If convicted, the charge carries potential penalties including significant prison time and restitution requirements.
Growing Threat of Online Extortion
This case highlights the increasing prevalence of online extortion schemes, where perpetrators leverage digital communications and personal information to coerce victims into making payments. Law enforcement agencies across the state have noted a rise in such cases, particularly those involving threats to expose private conversations or compromising materials.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed or if there are other potential victims.
