A scammer targeting a local woman for $60,000 in cash was caught red-handed after Shomrim volunteers coordinated an operation that ended with the suspect being arrested during a second attempted pickup.
The case began when a frantic husband called the Shomrim hotline, reporting that his wife had just handed over $30,000 in cash to someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. The scammer said they were working with federal authorities and demanded a total of $60,000. Since the bank would not release more than $30,000 in a single day, the scammer promised to return the next day for the remaining amount.
Shomrim immediately took action. Volunteers responded to the home to gather key details, while Shomrim’s IT team pulled surveillance footage and tracked the suspect’s movements how he arrived, where he went, and how he fled.
By the following day, a full plan was in place. Shomrim worked closely with the victims to set up a controlled environment, monitored the scene, and continuously updated the NYPD.
As expected, the scammer returned for the second payment. This time, NYPD officers, alerted by Shomrim, were waiting. The moment the transaction was completed, the suspect was arrested and thousands of dollars in cash were recovered.
The suspect is now under investigation for links to other Social Security and IRS-related scams.
One reason the victim was deceived was that the caller spoofed the official phone number of the NYPD’s 62nd Precinct. “You can check we’re calling from a police number,” the scammer said, a common tactic to create panic and prevent victims from seeking help.
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Important Reminder:
No official agency including the NYPD, IRS, or Social Security Administration will never ask for cash or demand immediate payment. Scammers often claim a loved one has been arrested or that you are under investigation, pressuring victims to pay quickly.
If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and contact Shomrim without delay.
Never give money before verifying. Scammers count on fear, urgency, and silence to trap their victims.
Shomrim urgently asks everyone to share this critical warning especially with elderly people, family members, friends, neighbors, and anyone who may not have access to social media or may be more vulnerable. These scams are happening right now, and swift awareness can prevent serious financial loss.
Stay alert. Protect yourselves and those around you.
