Authorities are searching for two suspects accused of scamming a 78-year-old Manhattan woman out of $24,000 by posing as bank representatives, the NYPD said Wednesday.
The scam unfolded on June 11, when the woman received a phone call around 11 a.m. from an individual claiming to be a bank employee. The caller falsely told her that her account had been compromised and instructed her to transfer $11,000 to resolve the supposed issue.
Later that day, two men, also posing as bank representatives, arrived at the woman’s home near West 239th Street and Henry Hudson Parkway. Believing their story, the woman met them outside and handed over $13,000 in cash, bringing her total loss to $24,000, according to police.
The suspects fled on foot and were last seen walking northbound on Henry Hudson Parkway. The woman was not physically harmed.
As of Wednesday, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
Authorities warn that scams targeting older adults remain a growing concern. According to the National Council on Aging, seniors lost an estimated $3.4 billion to financial scams in 2023. Common tactics include fake tech support, grandparent scams, and impersonating government or financial institution representatives.
Anyone with information about the suspects is urged to contact the NYPD.
