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Scammer Steals $1,300 From Victim After Praying With Her, NYPD Says

 Police said a 22-year-old woman was scammed out of $1,300 in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens last week.
Police said a 22-year-old woman was scammed out of $1,300 in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens last week.
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PROSPECT-LEFFERTS GARDENS — A scammer who claimed he needed help donating $75,000 in cash to charity tricked an unsuspecting young woman into handing over $1,300 of her own money — before saying a prayer with her and running away, according to police.

The man approached his victim, a 22-year-old woman, at Lincoln Road and Flatbush Avenue on May 23 at about 2:30 a.m., officials said, telling her he had $75,000 in cash he had to get rid of for his safety and asking her to donate it to charity for him. In exchange for giving her the money, he asked her to give him $1,300.

She complied, pulling out money at several nearby ATMs, police said. The victim said she handed him her money, he said a prayer with her and then handed her a small package she believed held the $75,000. When he left, she opened it and found only crumpled pieces of paper.

Other notable crimes in this week’s blotter from the 71st Precinct in Crown Heights and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens include:

► A young man and his two accomplices were arrested for fraud and forgery on May 21 after a credit card skimming device was found at his home on Clarkson Ave. by one of the men's probation officer. The suspects, ages 23, 25, and 27, will face four felony charges and one misdemeanor related to fraud and forgery, police said.

► A contractor reported his work vehicle was stolen between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. in front of 411 Rutland Rd. between New York and Brooklyn avenues on Sunday, May 24. The 2003 Ford van contained an air compressor, electrical tools and a power saw valued at $2,200.

► A 28-year-old man was arrested at the Ebbets Field apartment complex at 1720 Bedford Ave. at about 10 p.m. on May 26 after he stole $2.49 from a nearby 7-Eleven store at 146 Empire Blvd. and fled the shop. When police located the suspect, he was carrying a counterfeit $50 bill. Police say he will be charged with petit larceny and possession of a forged instrument.