The Nassau District Attorney is urging older women on Long Island to be on their guard as jewelry swap scams are on the rise, News 12 reported. The office issued the warning after a string of incidents targeting residents in two communities, and said the scheme remains an active threat.
According to the District Attorney, thieves have been focusing on women in Floral Park and New Hyde Park. The two communities have seen the scam play out repeatedly, prompting officials to single them out in their public alert to local residents.
The scam follows a consistent pattern, authorities say. Thieves approach a woman and offer her a gift of jewelry, then use that moment of distraction to quickly swap out or snatch the real and more valuable pieces from around her neck or wrist before slipping away.
To show how the scheme works, Nassau police released video last month capturing the scam in action. The footage was intended to help residents recognize the tactic and avoid becoming the next victim of the swap.
Despite that earlier warning and the released video, the District Attorney's office says the scam is still happening. The continued reports suggest the thieves have not been deterred and are continuing to seek out vulnerable targets in the area.
Officials are again urging older women in particular to stay alert, to be wary of strangers who approach offering jewelry, and to keep their valuables secure. The renewed warning is aimed at heading off further thefts as the investigation into the scams continues.