What sounded like a lucky break on a Williamsburg sidewalk ended with a 56-year-old woman losing roughly $15,000 in cash and jewelry, and police say four smooth-talking strangers are to blame.
According to the NYPD, the woman was approached on May 19 in front of 700 Broadway by a man who claimed he was holding a winning lottery ticket but could not cash it because of his immigration status. As the pitch unfolded, two other men and a woman joined the conversation. Investigators say the group eventually convinced the victim to withdraw cash, hand over jewelry, get into a gray Subaru Forester, and then watched as the crew drove off with her property after dropping her at another location.
What detectives say happened
As reported by News 12 New York, the incident took place on Tuesday, May 19, in front of 700 Broadway. Detectives say the first suspect is a man of about 50 years old with a medium complexion who was last seen in a navy blue shirt, blue pants and black shoes. The second suspect is described as a man with a medium build. The third is a slender woman who wore a light-colored shirt, black pants and a black bucket hat. The fourth suspect is a slender, light-complexioned man last seen wearing a light long-sleeved shirt and green pants.
Investigators say the crew persuaded the woman to pull about $15,000 in cash and jewelry together, then took the money and valuables and left her behind after she was dropped off, driving away in the gray Subaru with her property.
Police appeal and tips
The NYPD is asking anyone with information to share tips confidentially via Crime Stoppers, by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), by calling 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish, by messaging @NYPDTips on X, or by submitting a report at Crime Stoppers. Police say video from doorbell cameras, lobbies or storefronts around 700 Broadway on May 19 could be crucial, and they are urging neighbors to check their recordings.
Detectives have not announced any arrests in the case. They are asking anyone who thinks they recognize the suspects or the gray Subaru to contact investigators instead of confronting anyone on their own.
Pattern of ruses targeting older residents
Law-enforcement officials say lottery and prize stories like this are one of several go-to tactics thieves use to separate victims from cash and jewelry, often by creating a fake emergency or once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. CBS New York has reported on “jewelry swap” schemes and similar cons that target distracted or older residents across Brooklyn and Queens. The NYPD’s standing advice in these cases is blunt: do not hand cash, jewelry or personal details to strangers promising prize money.
How to protect yourself
Consumer-protection and state agencies hammer home a few basic rules for staying out of this kind of trouble. Never pay a fee or surrender valuables to claim a prize. Use a trusted phone number or website to independently verify any supposed winnings. Refuse to go with strangers to a bank or ATM, no matter how convincing the story sounds.
The New York State Department of State’s Scam Prevention guide urges people to watch for high-pressure tactics and manufactured urgency, and to report suspected fraud to the FTC and state authorities. It also advises victims who believe they have been robbed to call 911 immediately. Officials recommend holding on to receipts, ATM slips, bank records and any video or photos that could help detectives, and sharing that evidence directly with police.
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