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.
