Close Menu
Newsy Tribune
  • Home
  • News
    • United States
    • Europe
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • South America
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Science
  • Money
  • Sports
  • Tech
Trending

Why Gigi and Bella Hadid Kept Half-Sister Aydan Nix a ‘Secret’ for a Year and a Half (Exclusive)

May 31, 2025

Stick With The Major Trends

May 31, 2025

Father kills son with autism, 10, family dog and self in apparent murder-suicide in home where missing daughter, 20, was also found dead

May 31, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • Why Gigi and Bella Hadid Kept Half-Sister Aydan Nix a ‘Secret’ for a Year and a Half (Exclusive)
  • Stick With The Major Trends
  • Father kills son with autism, 10, family dog and self in apparent murder-suicide in home where missing daughter, 20, was also found dead
  • Edmonton Oilers eye revenge in Stanley Cup Final after rallying past Dallas Stars in conference final
  • Trump says he’s doubling steel, aluminum tariffs to 50% starting next week
  • Mum of missing teen issues emotional video statement
  • Yes, Student Loan Payments Could Rise for SAVE Borrowers. Here’s How to Calculate Yours
  • Yankees Trade Idea Solves 3rd Base Problem With Former Orioles Top-10 Prospect
Login
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Saturday, May 31
Newsy Tribune
Subscribe Newsletter
  • Home
  • News
    • United States
    • Europe
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • South America
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Science
  • Money
  • Sports
  • Tech
Newsy Tribune
Home»News
News

NYPD: Phone Scammers Impersonating Basketball Teams Steal Over $76,000 in City-Wide Crime Spree

News RoomBy News RoomDecember 8, 2024
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram Email WhatsApp Copy Link

A new wave of phone-based scams has swept through New York City, targeting young, well-meaning individuals and draining their bank accounts through fraudulent money transfers. This sophisticated scheme, identified by the NYPD as a city-wide pattern, involves groups of young con artists who prey on unsuspecting victims’ generosity, employing a combination of distraction and technological manipulation to steal thousands of dollars. The scammers typically approach individuals with a heartfelt plea for financial assistance, often claiming to be raising money for a struggling basketball team. This establishes a sense of trust and empathy, setting the stage for the subsequent deception.

The scam operates with a well-defined choreography. Once the victim agrees to donate, one of the perpetrators requests access to their phone under the guise of entering their contact information or setting up the transfer. While this individual has control of the phone, another member of the group engages the victim in distracting conversation, skillfully diverting their attention away from the device. During this crucial window of opportunity, the perpetrator holding the phone swiftly navigates to money transfer apps like Zelle or Venmo and initiates a transfer of funds to their own account. The amounts stolen are often substantial, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. By the time the victim realizes what has transpired, the scammers have vanished, leaving them with a depleted bank account and a sense of betrayal.

The NYPD has documented 39 incidents of this scam across Manhattan and Brooklyn in 2024 alone, with losses totaling over $76,500. The victims, predominantly in their 20s and none older than 36, are targeted in affluent neighborhoods known for their pedestrian traffic and a general sense of safety. These locations include popular spots like the South Street Seaport, Midtown East, Union Square, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, Park Slope, TriBeCa, Wall Street, Madison Square Park, and Brooklyn Heights. The choice of affluent areas suggests that the scammers may be profiling individuals they perceive as more likely to have readily available funds through digital payment apps.

Law enforcement has made some headway in apprehending those responsible for these scams. Four individuals, all 21 years of age or younger, have been arrested and charged with Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree for their involvement in these schemes. Jakeem Scott, 21, and Aviana Clark, 19, have each been arrested twice in connection with these scams in 2024, once for the same incident. Jaheem Scott, 21, and Tymir Black, 19, have also been arrested in separate incidents. All four individuals hail from Jersey City, New Jersey, indicating a possible organized network operating across state lines. In addition to these arrests, a 15-year-old has been arrested twice for involvement in separate incidents, highlighting the troubling involvement of minors in this criminal activity.

One high-profile victim of this scam was Briana Siaca, former Miss New York USA. While recovering from dental surgery and listening to a podcast in Madison Square Park, Siaca was approached by two teenage boys who requested a donation for their South Bronx basketball team. Agreeing to contribute, and without cash on hand, Siaca offered to send the money via Venmo or Zelle. While one of the boys held her phone, the other engaged her in a conversation about the basketball team, effectively distracting her while the first boy initiated a $2,000 transfer to his own account. Siaca, realizing the boy was taking too long with her phone, snatched it back just as the two fled the scene. Unfortunately, no arrests have been made in Siaca’s case.

The NYPD has issued warnings to the public, urging heightened vigilance and caution against this emerging scam. They advise individuals to never hand over their phones to strangers, regardless of how compelling their story may seem. Furthermore, they caution against readily agreeing to wire transfers for unfamiliar organizations or individuals, even those soliciting for seemingly legitimate causes like sports teams, school activities, or non-profit organizations. Verification of these organizations and their fundraising efforts is crucial before making any financial contributions. The NYPD’s public awareness campaign underscores the importance of protecting oneself from these increasingly sophisticated scams and emphasizes the need for caution in digital transactions.

Related Articles

Father kills son with autism, 10, family dog and self in apparent murder-suicide in home where missing daughter, 20, was also found dead

Trump says he’s doubling steel, aluminum tariffs to 50% starting next week

Mum of missing teen issues emotional video statement

Yankees Trade Idea Solves 3rd Base Problem With Former Orioles Top-10 Prospect

Marine restrains man allegedly trying to open plane’s emergency exit during flight

Hunter Biden spotted parking rental car in South Africa in first public appearance since dad Joe’s cancer reveal

Editors Picks

Stick With The Major Trends

May 31, 2025

Father kills son with autism, 10, family dog and self in apparent murder-suicide in home where missing daughter, 20, was also found dead

May 31, 2025

Edmonton Oilers eye revenge in Stanley Cup Final after rallying past Dallas Stars in conference final

May 31, 2025

Trump says he’s doubling steel, aluminum tariffs to 50% starting next week

May 31, 2025

Latest Updates

Mum of missing teen issues emotional video statement

May 31, 2025

Yes, Student Loan Payments Could Rise for SAVE Borrowers. Here’s How to Calculate Yours

May 31, 2025

Yankees Trade Idea Solves 3rd Base Problem With Former Orioles Top-10 Prospect

May 31, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest TikTok Instagram
© 2025 Newsy Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of service
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below.

Lost password?