The NYPD is asking for the public’s help identifying four people wanted in connection with an alleged lottery scam in Williamsburg that left a woman out thousands of dollars.
According to police, the incident happened on Tuesday, May 19, in front of 700 Broadway.
Investigators say a 56-year-old woman was approached by an unidentified man who claimed he had a winning lottery ticket but could not cash it because of his immigration status. Police say an unidentified woman and two additional men then joined the conversation.
Authorities say the group convinced the victim to withdraw approximately $15,000 in cash and jewelry in exchange for a share of the supposed lottery winnings.
Police say the victim later entered a gray Subaru Forester with the group and was dropped off at another location, where the suspects drove away with her property.
The NYPD has previously warned the public about lottery-related scams, reminding New Yorkers to never give money, jewelry or other valuables to strangers in exchange for promised prize money.
The first suspect is described as a man with a medium complexion, approximately 50 years old and of medium build. He was last seen wearing a navy blue shirt, blue pants and black shoes.
The second suspect is described as a man with a medium build. No clothing description was immediately available.
The third suspect is described as a woman with a slender build. She was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt, black pants, a black bucket hat and light-colored shoes.
The fourth suspect is described as a man with a light complexion and slender build. He was last seen wearing a light-colored long-sleeved shirt, green pants, brown shoes and a dark-colored baseball hat.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online at
crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or by messaging @NYPDTips on X.