Gypsies, Vamps And Thieves
Con Artists Among Us

By LIZ GOFF 

The 79-year-old Corona man headed out on his daily walk to Junction Boulevard on recent day, where he always stopped to shop and shoot the breeze with other seniors. But this day was different.

Along the way, he was approached by two men who identified themselves as Con Ed workers who were checking meters in local residences. The men said they were headed for the block where the senior lives and would have to gain access to his residence to check his meter.

The senior walked back to his apartment with the men and let them in. When the men asked for a $5 "fee" for the service, the senior, in full view of the men, went to a drawer where he stored cash and gave them $5.

The men opened up a conversation with the senior, distracting him as an accomplice went through the apartment stealing cash and valuables. By the time the senior realized what was happening, the men had cleaned-out the cash "stash" and ransacked the other rooms at the apartment, taking jewelry and other valuables.

The senior, alone and vulnerable, was afraid to confront the thieves.

It was a classic "Imposter Burgular" scam – this time preyed on a senior who was on the street instead of at home.

They’re Out There

We would all like to believe that we live in a perfect society. But in a time when innocent people are pushed under subway trains and shot for changing lanes while driving, should the presence of scam artists surprise us?

Experts in senior crime report that the elderly are often folly for con artists. Despite constant media attention and warnings to seniors, they continue to be confused by the actions of con artists, and tend to trust them, experts said. Many seniors don’t see when they are putting themselves in danger. And criminals assume – sometimes correctly, that seniors are weak or ill and may not be able to defend themselves against economic crimes.

In addition, con artists often view seniors living alone or away from relatives as an easy target. These criminals seek-out "single" seniors and rely on their own lack of conscience to prey on lonely seniors. They tend to prey on widows who may have relied on their husbands to manage family finances and tend to home repairs, experts said.

Recognize Them

Every year thousands of people report losing their money – often their life savings – on scams.

Today’s scam artists have perfected their art, working in teams to swindle unsuspecting seniors out of their "nestegg." Experts say education is the best defense to avoid being taken in by a scam. Learn to identify the scheme and the con artist, police said. And remember – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Con artists are often "charming." They’ll try to convince you to participate in a scheme that looks innocent – but be careful. They may seen friendly, but that’s just a ploy to gain a victim’s confidence and trust, experts said. It’s much easier to scam a trusting victim.

With the help of the NYPD, we have compiled three of the worst – and most often utilized rip-offs. They include:

The Imposter Burglar

Scam artist neighborhood, searching for signs that indicate "senior live here." The garbage can, or a walker in the yard or driveway.

The thieves ring the door bell and say they are from the Water Department – and there is a problem with water in the area. They warn the seniors about bacteria in the water and the need to check for safety. After, they pull a $50 bill and wave it at the senior, implying it is a "refund" owed to them by utility.

They’re good talkers, said NYPD Ret. Det. Bob Geis, formerly of the NYPD Special Frauds Unit. "They schmoooze their victims," Geis said.

While they talk, one accomplice or two ramsacks the home, stealing cash and valuables. A horn blown outside the home, the "schmooozer" tells his victim he has to check on something "in the truck," he leaves – and it’s all over. The crime, like the victim’s cash is history.

These con artists have gone so far as to walk out with a safe from one resident, Geis said.

Gies recalled a particular harsh scam in January, ‘99, when a Douglaston man fill victim to a group as imposter burglars who fled with $400,000 cash- his entire life savings.

The Home Repair Scam

Beware of anyone who calls or shows up at your home – unsolicited – offering to fix your roof, paint your home or apartment, or fix a household appliance, water heater, electric or water meter, etc.

These people may be waiting to take your money (usually cash) for repairs they did not make, or to steal cash and valuables from a bedroom while a member of the "team" distracts you in another part of the house.

Before you let anyone enter your home, be sure to check for proper credentials from authorized utilities, or companies you have contacted to make repairs. If you are not expecting a repair or utility man, call the company they claim to represent to determine if someone has been sent to your home. If not, call 911 and wait inside for police to arrive – do not open the door to speak with the con artists. They could harm you.

Tellers And Thieves

They call themselves "readers" and "advisors." Some have dubbed themselves "healers," "psychics" or clairvoyants who can tell you what the future holds, remove curses (for a price), heal illnesses, tell of past lives, loves and losses.

But they’re actually out to bilk unsuspecting victims – often seniors, to lighten your wallet by offering help with problems, if you pay them.

Police in Queens busted a psychic several months ago, who operated from a house on Utopia Parkway, where she took $10,000 from a victim to "remove a curse."

Sonya Cruz Costello, 34, of 47-43 Utopia Pkwy., Flushing, was arrested after police, posing as customers, sought advice from the psychic.

The cops paid a first fee of $25 and were told that they had enemies who had put a curse on them. For extra payments, the psychic could remove the curses through a series of elaborate rituals.

Subsequent visits cost both cops different amounts – $50 to $100. They were given candles to burn, bags of soil to wear around their necks – and a variety of oils to pour in bathwater, to help remove the curses.

The cops who recorded their "sessions" each paid out at least $1,000 before they called it quits, telling the psychic the sessions had become too expensive for them to continue.

That’s when "Operation Crystal Ball" came crashing down on Costello, putting an end to her scams.

Another victim paid Costello $360 for "purging" candles that would allow her to look into his soul. Once he had paid for the candles, Costello told him he was cursed and would have to give her $10,000 to remove the curse. She would bury the money in a graveyard to remove the bad spirits. The man, a senior citizen, gave Costello the money – his life savings.

Help

Help is available to seniors who wish to learn all they can about scams and flim-flam artists before they fall victim to their schemes.

Police at the 107th Precinct in Fresh Meadows are offering monthly seminars on ways to avoid becoming a victim. The seminars are held at the Senior Center at the Pomonok Houses.

To register, attend, or seek help, contact Police Officer Joseph Iorio at the 107th Crime Prevention Office at 969-5100.

Help is also available through the Queens District Attorney’s Office of Economic Fraud by calling 286-6000, or the NYPD Special Frauds Unit at (212) 374-6850.