An elderly woman in Kew Gardens Hills was scammed out of $25,000 Tuesday afternoon in what authorities say was a fraud scheme targeting a vulnerable member of the community.
Queens Shomrim received the report shortly after the incident and immediately dispatched volunteers to assist the victim while notifying the NYPD. Officers from the NYPD’s 107th Precinct quickly launched an investigation, with volunteers from Queens Shomrim and the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol (RNSP) assisting on the scene.
Thanks to the rapid coordination between Shomrim and the NYPD, a suspect was taken into custody in connection with the scam.
Queens Shomrim is urging the public to remain vigilant. Residents should never provide money, banking information, or personal details to unsolicited callers or individuals claiming to represent a business, government agency, or family member without first verifying the request. Anyone who suspects they have been targeted by a scam should contact the NYPD immediately.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
One Response
Something is missing or wrong with this story.
The typical scam has overseas perpetrators, and if physical currency is being transferred, a local person acting as a mule.
The mules are typically unaware of the details of the scam, and are sometimes just couriers who have no idea they are participating in a crime.
There are even cases where the mules are victims of scams being blackmailed.
The fact that there was an arrest is raising questions for me.
Who was arrested? A mule or a mastermind?
Were any funds recovered?