A 69-year-old woman in Queens fell victim to a scam, losing approximately $5,000 worth of jewelry after two men offered her a "winning" lottery ticket in exchange for her valuables. The incident occurred around 10:50 a.m. on August 8, 2026, in the Woodhaven neighborhood.
The suspects reportedly approached the woman in a gray BMW. According to police, they claimed they were unable to collect a lottery jackpot due to their immigration status and proposed a trade: the woman's jewelry for the purported winning ticket. The value of the jackpot was not disclosed.
After receiving the jewelry, the men asked the woman to purchase pain medication for them at a nearby pharmacy. While she was inside the store, the suspects fled with the stolen items. Police have released images of the two individuals and are seeking the public's assistance in identifying them. One suspect was seen wearing a white shirt, khaki pants, and a newsboy cap, while the other was dressed in all black, including a black baseball cap.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers via their website or by direct message on X (@NYPDTips).