Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), the Northport Village Police Department, and State Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) came together to raise public awareness about a specific scam recently brought to their attention, following the conviction of two individuals for grand larceny in an elder abuse case. Officials said they wanted to ensure that elderly residents are aware of the scheme and know how to protect themselves to prevent further financial harm and victimization.
According to D.A. Tierney, the case began last September when an elderly woman in her eighties was at home using her computer and began receiving messages claiming her device had been compromised. The alerts instructed her to call a phone number for assistance from someone claiming to be an Apple support representative. Tierney said the victim remained on the phone with the caller for nearly two hours before later being contacted by another individual who claimed to be from her bank.
That caller allegedly told the woman that multiple credit cards linked to her computer had been compromised and that $45,000 had been spent on pornographic websites. Tierney said the victim was left shocked, confused, and distraught. The following day, the alleged bank representative called again and convinced her to hand over $30,000 for what was described as safekeeping. In a state of panic and fear, the victim complied.
Afterward, the victim felt unsettled by the situation and confided in her son about what had happened. Realizing his mother had likely been scammed, he contacted the Northport Village Police Department, which immediately launched an investigation.
The very next day, the scammers reached out to the victim again, this time asking for more money, an additional $30,000, and then, quickly, the detectives on the case were about to identify the two perpetrators in this case.
Detectives from the Northport Village Police Department identified a vehicle connected to the scam and shared that information with other law enforcement agencies in Suffolk County and outside New York. When suspects tried to take another $30,000 from the same victim, police were ready. Authorities coordinated with law enforcement in Franklin County, where officers located and stopped the vehicle. During that stop, the $30,000 was recovered and later returned to the victim.
D.A. Tierney credited the successful recovery of the victim’s money to the extensive investigative work of the Northport Village Police Department, along with assistance from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Asset Forfeiture Bureau, Intelligence Bureau, Suffolk County
detectives, and law enforcement partners in the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Officials obtained a court order allowing the recovered funds to be returned to the victim, money Tierney noted represented her retirement savings and what she had worked for her entire life to earn.
Tierney said the case should serve as a reminder for residents to report scams immediately and not suffer in silence. He urged anyone targeted by suspicious calls, emails, or money demands to contact law enforcement as quickly as possible, speak with their bank, and consult trusted family members or friends before sending any money.
Senator Palumbo said the case hit especially close to home because the victim was his 85-year-old aunt. He publicly thanked the Northport Village Police Department, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and all the investigators involved for their dedication to recovering the stolen funds.
“This is what they do every day,” Palumbo said, praising the often-unseen work of law enforcement.
Palumbo also used the case as a warning to the public, saying scams targeting seniors have become increasingly sophisticated.
“Notify law enforcement and your bank as soon as you possibly can,” he said, adding that many people assume stolen money is gone forever, but cases like this show that quick reporting can make recovery possible.
Officials said the case should serve as an important reminder for residents, especially seniors and their families, to remain cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, and computer pop-up warnings requesting money or personal information. They urged anyone who believes they may be targeted by a scam to contact law enforcement and their financial institution immediately, stressing that quick action can be critical in stopping fraud and recovering stolen funds.
