Scammers Are Taking Jewelry from New Yorkers on the Street

Police in Staten Island are advising residents to hide their jewelry while walking down the street.

Scammers are distracting and tricking Staten Islanders with the aim of getting their jewelry, according to a tweet from Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon.

McMahon posted a flyer from the New York Police Department stating that “crews of thieves have been reportedly stealing jewelry from elderly victims, often using children as a distraction.”

“These scammers may try to get close and swap the victim’s real jewelry with fake jewelry under the ruse of a gift, prayer or blessing,” police said. “They may claim they need cash, offering fake jewelry in exchange.”

The the thieves are “sophisticated” and so residents should be vigilant, according to the NYPD’s Patrol Borough Staten Island.

“When caught, we will fully prosecute those who steal from law-abiding SI’ers,” Patrol Borough Staten Island stated.