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How To Avoid Lottery, Prize Scams: You Didn’t Enter, But You 'Won'?
A surprise message says you hit the jackpot, but there’s a catch: you must pay a fee or hand over personal details to claim it.
That’s the hallmark of a lottery or prize scam—designed to separate you from your money and identity.
These schemes often arrive by email, text, phone, or mail and lean on pressure tactics to force quick decisions.
Scammers frequently demand “taxes,” “processing,” or “shipping” upfront, or ask for sensitive data to “verify” you.
Legitimate lotteries do not require payment to release a prize, and you should never be asked for your Social Security…
Duo Stole $2.8M From Missing NY Couple’s Bank Accounts, DOJ Says
Two Queens residents are accused of conspiring to steal nearly $3 million from the bank accounts of a Long Island couple who vanished months ago.
Yinye “Roy” Wang of College Point and Roslyn, and Qiuju Wu, of Flushing, are charged with conspiring to defraud a financial institution, according to an indictment unsealed in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
The case centers on Old Brookville residents Peishuan Fan, 48, and JuanJuan Zwang, 44, who have been missing since late March, as Daily Voice reported.
An investigation found that between June and August 2025, Wang and Wu used fo…
Ex-Police Officer Extorts $9K From Salon Owner In NY: Here's Her Fate
A former police officer who admitted to extorting thousands of dollars from an Orange County beauty salon has been sentenced, prosecutors announced.
Ally Thueson, 33, was sentenced on Thursday, July 31, to five years of probation in connection with the scheme, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, Aug. 4.
According to the DA's Office, Thueson, a former police officer, had been employed by a beauty salon in Montgomery. In May 2024, she threatened the business's owner that she would make false statements on the internet that would harm the salon un…
$145M Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Known As 'Magician' Admits To One Of Largest Ever Frauds
A Northern Westchester man who earned the nickname “The Magician” for his ability to slash tax bills has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a massive $145 million fraud scheme that spanned a decade, federal officials announced.
Rafael Alvarez, age 61, of Cortlandt Manor, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, Dec. 17, after being charged with conspiracy to defraud the US and aiding the preparation of false tax returns, according to Edward Y. Kim, Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Alvarez, the CEO and owner of ATAX, a Bronx-based tax preparation bu…
$4.4M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: Five Plead Guilty, NY AG Says
Five Hudson Valley and Capital Region residents and seven transportation companies have admitted to stealing millions from Medicaid.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday, Dec. 5, that five have pleaded guilty to stealing more than $4.4 million from New York’s Medicaid program through fake billing, illegal kickbacks, and engaging in money laundering and other fraudulent schemes to conceal their crimes.
Muhammad Rizwan Khan, 38, Muhammad Usman Khan, 40, and Farhan Khan, 29, all of Orange County, and their related companies pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Or…
Hudson Valley Fire Company Financial Secretary Admits Stealing $17K, DA Says
A financial secretary for a fire company in the region has admitted to stealing more than $17,000 from the department.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Friday, Nov. 1, that Lynn T. Simpson, age 43, of Wallkill, pled guilty to grand larceny in the Third Degree in connection with the theft of $17,947 from the parade fund of the Washington Heights Fire Company in Middletown.
As part of the plea agreement, Simpson will repay all the stolen money, Hoovler said.
The department was scheduled to host a parade in September 2023, which includ…
$9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley
The owner of a New York business admitted to running a multimillion-dollar check-kiting scheme to keep his company operating.
Long Island resident John B. Mensch, age 54, pleaded guilty in connection with a nearly year-long fraud conspiracy involving banks in Suffolk County and the Hudson Valley, federal authorities announced Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 2.
Mensch, of Quogue, faces up to five years’ imprisonment as well as financial penalties, including restitution to the two banks of approximately $9.6 million.
According to court filings, Mensch was the owner and operator of East End, a…
Ex-Controller Who Stole $340K From Hudson Valley Company Gets Prison Time
A 54-year-old woman who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Northern Westchester-based company she worked for will spend several years in prison.
Mohegan Lake resident ToniAnn Rosado was sentenced to a term of two to six years in prison on Friday, Sept. 27 for stealing more than $340,000 from North Castle-based paint company CR Wallauer & Company, Inc., the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
According to the DA's Office, in her role as the company's controller, Rosado stole $341,707.54 between July 7, 2017, …
$280K Scam: Father, Daughter Accused Of Stealing From Hudson Valley Woman
A man and daughter have been accused of stealing over $280,000 from a Hudson Valley resident.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday, Aug. 13, the indictments and arrests of Ulster County residents Frank Whittaker, age 56, of Kingston, and his daughter Christine Ellsworth, age 38, of Accord, for allegedly stealing more than $280,000 from a vulnerable elderly victim.
After earning the trust of the victim, an Ulster County resident, by providing lawn maintenance and assisting with household tasks, Whittaker and Ellsworth gained access to the then-92-year-old’s checkbook …
