Two crooks took advantage of the woman’s faith and generosity. Marc Santia reports.
An elderly woman swindled out of $90,000 in life savings by a couple on the street says she just wanted to help them -- and that was her first mistake.
The 80-year-old grandmother says she was on Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven the afternoon of Sept. 9 when a woman got out of a Jeep Cherokee and asked if she could help her cash a winning lottery ticket. She said she was an undocumented immigrant and that she couldn't collect her prize.
The victim said she wanted to help.
"I say 'no, no, the lady look nice,'" said the victim, who asked not to be identified.
The victim said the suspect told her, "As soon as she gives me the money, I give it back to you."
As they were talking about how to cash the ticket, a man approached the victim and explained what she had to do to cash the ticket. The victim agreed to help, withdrawing $90,000 in cash and giving it to the suspects. The suspects promised to return the money, plus a portion of the winnings after she cashed the ticket.
"The guy say, 'I give you $5,000 for your church.'" the victim told NBC 4 New York. "I go to the bank and take all my money."
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The suspects drove the victim back to her home and asked her to give them a utility bill to prove that it was actually her home. When the woman came out of the house with the paperwork, the suspects fled.
"I was cry," the victim said. "I said, 'Oh, my God, all my money is going like that.'"
The victim said the thieves haven't broken her spirit.
"I still working. Pushing myself to working, to see what happens. I have faith in my Lord, that he take care of me," she said.
Police have released surveillance images of the suspects, along with a photo of their car. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
