
A trio of scammers near New York University have orchestrated a series of robberies, swindling $3,500 from unsuspecting victims and leaving authorities scrambling for leads.
At a Glance
- Scammers stole $3,500 in a series of robberies near New York University
- Victims include a 14-year-old boy, a 19-year-old man, and a 23-year-old man
- The scammers used deceptive tactics, including fake donation requests
- NYPD has released photos of the suspects and is seeking public assistance
- No physical injuries reported, but victims were coerced into making transactions
Sophisticated Scam Operation Unfolds
In a disturbing series of events, a group of scammers has successfully targeted young individuals near New York University, employing sophisticated tactics to steal a total of $3,500. The string of robberies has raised concerns about public safety and the vulnerability of students and residents in the area.
The first incident occurred on Christmas Eve, involving a 14-year-old boy who fell victim to the scammers’ ploy. The criminals approached the teenager on Broadway near East 8th Street, masquerading as representatives of a sports team in need of donations.
Scammers pleading for donations target victims near NYU, stealing $3.5K in string of robberies: cops https://t.co/lYWN1zJYo2 pic.twitter.com/2foLgxSyiz
— New York Post (@nypost) January 23, 2025
The scam operation continued into the new year, with two more incidents reported in January. On January 8, the criminals targeted a 19-year-old man at East 4th Street and Broadway. Using coercive tactics, they forced the victim to withdraw $1,400 from an ATM.
“A trio of scammers made off with $3,500 in a recent string of robberies near New York University in one case pleading with a 14-year-old boy for donations to a sports team before ripping him off,” cops and sources said.
The most recent incident occurred on January 11, involving a 23-year-old man on Astor Place near Lafayette Street. In this case, the scammers escalated their demands, forcing the victim to withdraw $800 in cash and transfer an additional $1,000 through a mobile application.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has taken swift action in response to these crimes – for once. Authorities have released photographs of the suspects, who were seen wearing hoodies or winter coats during the incidents. The NYPD is now turning to the public for assistance in identifying and apprehending these individuals.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about these crimes to come forward and contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline. The cooperation between the police and the community is crucial in preventing further incidents and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Imagine if they’d taken this kind of swift action to deal with subway crime…