A Queens woman was tricked out of jewelry worth about $5,000 after men in a gray BMW offered a bogus winning lottery ticket swap.
A Queens jewelry scam left a 69-year-old woman out about $5,000 after two men in a gray BMW used a fake winning lottery ticket pitch to win her trust, police said. The incident unfolded in Woodhaven late Friday morning and is now being investigated as a larceny by deception case, underscoring how quickly a brief street encounter can turn into a costly loss.
According to police, the woman was approached around 10:50 a.m. in front of 86-75 78 St. The pair got out of the car and began speaking with her about a lottery ticket they claimed had won money. They told her they could not collect the prize because of their immigration status, a detail that appears to have been used to make the story sound plausible and to encourage sympathy. Investigators said it was not immediately clear how much they claimed the jackpot was worth.
The alleged scam followed a common pattern seen in confidence schemes: build a quick rapport, offer the victim what appears to be an unusually good deal, and push for a decision before there is time to think it through. In this case, police said the men convinced the woman to trade her jewelry for the ticket. The bling was later estimated by authorities to be worth around $5,000.
After receiving the jewelry, the suspects added another layer to the scheme. Police said they asked the woman to buy pain medication for them at a nearby pharmacy. That request may have been intended to keep her occupied and separate her from the men long enough for them to leave the area. When she went inside the store, the two disappeared with the jewelry, according to police.
“A Queens woman was tricked out of jewelry worth about $5,000 after men in a gray BMW offered a bogus winning lottery ticket swap.”
The Woodhaven case fits a broader category of street frauds that depend less on technology than on social engineering. Scammers often pose as people in need or as sellers of something valuable, using pressure, urgency or a seemingly reasonable explanation to lure victims into handing over cash or valuables. Even when the story sounds unusual, the promise of easy gain can be enough to override caution in a face-to-face encounter.
Such cases can be especially hard on older adults, who are frequently targeted in scams that rely on trust, politeness and the desire to help someone who appears stranded or distressed. Police did not say whether the woman was injured, but the financial impact was immediate: jewelry worth thousands of dollars was gone within minutes.
Authorities released images of the two suspects as the search continued. One man was seen wearing a white shirt, khaki pants and a newsboy cap. The other was pictured in an all-black outfit, including a black baseball cap. Police have not yet said whether the men are believed to have carried out similar scams elsewhere, but the release of images suggests investigators hope the public may recognize them.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers website or message @NYPDTips on X. For residents, the case serves as a reminder to be wary of strangers offering quick financial opportunities, especially when the pitch involves pressure, an emotional backstory or a request to hand over valuables before any transaction can be verified.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the Queens jewelry scam happen?
Police said it happened in front of 86-75 78 St. in Woodhaven, Queens.
How did the suspects lure the woman?
They allegedly claimed they had a winning lottery ticket but could not collect because of their immigration status, then offered to trade it for her jewelry.
What did the woman lose?
Police said her jewelry was worth around $5,000.
How can the public help?
Police are asking anyone with information to submit tips through the Nypd Crime Stoppers website or on X at @NYPDTips.
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