Authorities are warning residents of Kiryas Joel to remain on high alert following a wave of scams that have defrauded victims of tens of thousands of dollars through both digital and physical tactics.
In one troubling incident, scammers gained remote access to a victim’s computer and tricked her into calling a fake support number. On the call, the fraudster persuaded her to access her bank account and claimed they could increase her balance—if she handed over money first. The victim later met the scammer in person and handed over $12,000 in cash.
Kiryas Joel Public Safety Director Moses Witriol tells YWN that the case is now the subject of a joint investigation by the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
In a separate but growing concern, Witriol reports a significant uptick in the theft of mailed checks, including a recent case in which a $150,000 check made out to cash was stolen. “These checks are extremely difficult to trace once they’re cashed,” he said, urging residents to use secure methods for mailing large payments.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the New York State Police at the Monroe Barracks at 845-782-8311. If you require assistance in Yiddish or need help communicating, you can also contact the Kiryas Joel Public Safety at 845-782-5577.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
12 Responses
Jews are the smartest people on earth.
Also Jews, “So if I first give you $12,000 cash you will add money to my bank account? Sounds like a great idea. What could possibly go wrong?”
The scammer must immediately be put to death, before
1) scamming anyone else
2) spending any taxpayers money on court expenses & prisons
Can someone give a logical explanation as to why someone would mail a check made out to cash, especially for $150K!
Rocky, you are 100% correct. it’s not logical. But people think irrational when they get blackmailed. If a scammer comes and says “I have all your money and I will not give it back unless you do xyz,” people will think irrational as they want their money back. The key is to have a clear head and stop to think.
To add to Rocky?s question
Can someone please tell me how the bank?s fraud department didn?t kick in and call the lady?
When the lights go on, you see your surroundings. It is easy to navigate around obstacles. In the dark, you can’t see the obvious dangers and pitfalls. Now that you know it is a scam, it is crystal clear to avoid it, but when you are in the dark, it is very hard to know. Don’t judge others when the light is on, because if the light were off, you would also fall into the traps.
Seems like some women forgot to collect their sixth sense aka intuition, when G-D gave it.
ROCKY;people who don’t work for the money.or its not there money
I’m embarrassed to say that I personally got scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars more than once. They said it was for tuition but my kids didn’t learn a damn thing.
Dont trust anyone.
The article says that the theft of $150k was a separate incident. That means someone mailed a check made out to cash for a legitimate payment, and someone stole it from the mail. That is different than being duped by a scammer. It is called a basic lack of responsibility with the money the Good Lord gave you.
making cheques payable to ?cash? is a bad habit that people should get of. the recipient?s id is one of the few protections you have against theft. mailing them is even stupider.