CrimeMay 13, 2026
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NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting Seniors
The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
The NYPD is warning seniors about a jewelry swap scam, handing out flyers (at left) to community members. (Images courtesy of the NYPD 43rd Precinct’s Facebook page)
New York—The New York City Police Department is warning senior New Yorkers to be wary of jewelry scams.
The department has issued warnings about crews of thieves reportedly trying to steal jewelry from elderly people.
“The jewelry swap scam is a deception theft that targets primarily older adults,” said Lt. Kevin Kelly, NYPD’s chief of crime control strategies, in a video shared by the 43rd Precinct to its Facebook page last week.
The thieves approach older adults in the street in a friendly manner, asking for directions or offering them a gift, with children are often used as a distraction.
“They are targeting anybody that has visible jewelry,” said Kelly.
“At this point, they move in close. They might try to hug you or give you jewelry. [They] place fake jewelry around your neck while they remove the real jewelry, [then] take off. By the time you notice it, they’re usually off the scene.”
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The department has issued warnings about crews of thieves reportedly trying to steal jewelry from elderly people.
“The jewelry swap scam is a deception theft that targets primarily older adults,” said Lt. Kevin Kelly, NYPD’s chief of crime control strategies, in a video shared by the 43rd Precinct to its Facebook page last week.
The thieves approach older adults in the street in a friendly manner, asking for directions or offering them a gift, with children are often used as a distraction.
“They are targeting anybody that has visible jewelry,” said Kelly.
“At this point, they move in close. They might try to hug you or give you jewelry. [They] place fake jewelry around your neck while they remove the real jewelry, [then] take off. By the time you notice it, they’re usually off the scene.”
There was a spike in jewelry swapping scams, the NYPD told ABC7 NY, with 11 incidents between February and March targeting older victims in Brooklyn and Queens.
Officials told the local news station that Stefania Alexandru, 22, reportedly scammed a 76-year-old woman out of a $3,000 necklace in March.
Police are still looking for other suspects.
“Keep your jewelry hidden. You don’t want to let anybody come close to you. You definitely don’t want to let people put their arms on you,” said Kelly.
If someone suspicious approaches, report it to the police, even if nothing was taken, advised officials.
Last month, police in Northern Virginia warned residents about a similar crime in which the thieves would come in for a hug and then swap out the victim’s jewelry.
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