Scammers cruising the streets of Ozone Park are zeroing in on older adults, quietly swapping real gold for junk, the NYPD’s 106th Precinct warned on Monday. Police say suspects often pull up in a car, distract pedestrians with a friendly question or gesture, then slip off necklaces or rings and replace them with cheap fakes. Officers say the pitch can come as a supposed gift, a prayer, or a request for help, and they are urging anyone approached to stay alert.
Jewelry Scam Alert - scammers are targeting older adults and swapping real jewelry for fake items.
- NYPD 106th Precinct (@NYPD106Pct) March 22, 2026
Precinct Issues Direct Warning
In a public alert posted by NYPD 106th Precinct on X, officers describe suspects who may “drive up to you” and distract you long enough to switch your jewelry. The post urges residents to keep valuables hidden and to report suspicious approaches to police even if no property seems to be missing.
How the Scam Works
Neighbors and local patrols say the trick is often a team effort, sometimes with a child used to pull focus while another person handles a victim’s jewelry. The Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol has circulated a community warning, and precincts across the boroughs have issued comparable alerts in recent weeks, according to Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol.
Protect Yourself and Report Suspicious Approaches
Police recommend tucking rings and chains under clothing, declining any unsolicited offers to bless, handle, or “upgrade” your jewelry, and walking away from anyone who will not leave you alone. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. To report a suspicious encounter or share information anonymously, contact NYPD Crime Stoppers or call 1-800-577-TIPS. The 106th Precinct is also asking neighbors to preserve any video or photos that might assist investigators, according to NYPD 106th Precinct.
Citywide Pattern
Alerts about jewelry-swapping crews have also surfaced in Brooklyn and the Bronx this month as precincts try to get ahead of the same pattern, with local coverage describing thieves using a similar gift-or-blessing script on seniors. Reports of crews working seniors on Bronx streets and other recent accounts indicate the problem is not isolated to a single neighborhood.
If you or a relative were targeted, officials say to save any footage, write down descriptions, and share tips with investigators promptly. Neighbors with doorbell or business cameras are being asked to check recordings and pass anything suspicious along to police or Crime Stoppers.
