UPPER EAST SIDE — A scam aimed at stealing jewelry, which has largely targeted the Asian community, has hit the Upper East Side, according to the NYPD's 19th Precinct.
Female scammers stole $920,000 worth of jewelry from a woman who fell victim to a Sept. 10 ploy, which involved the thieves claiming to offer "spiritual guidance" and taking off with her necklaces, bracelets, earrings and a watch, police said.
The victim, an Upper East Side resident, met the suspects near the corner of Lexington Avenue and East 72nd Street and convinced her to bring them jewelry from her home for a "spiritual" cleansing, police said.
And when the victim returned to the corner with several pieces of jewelry, the thieves made off with them, according to the NYPD.
Captain Ted Federoff, the second in command at the 19th Precinct could not provide the exact time of the incident.
Federoff said it was the first report of this particular scam within the 19th Precinct, but added that similar cases had happened in Brooklyn and that in those incidents, the scammers often targeted the Asian community.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the victim of the Upper East Side incident was Asian.
"Don’t give up your property," he said. "Whatever the solicitation may be, take a step back."
The incident is still under investigation and the NYPD's Special Frauds Squad is planning to get involved, according to police.
