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IRS and Kidnapping Scams on the Rise in Queens, Precinct Commander Warns

By Katie Honan | September 21, 2016 2:52pm
 The scams include rental, employment and lotto lies, according to the 115th Precinct's commander. 
The scams include rental, employment and lotto lies, according to the 115th Precinct's commander. 
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JACKSON HEIGHTS — Local residents are getting caught up in a myriad of scams that demand cash to rescue kidnapped relatives, ask for iTunes gift cards to pay off IRS loans or demand money to access millions in lotto rewards, according to a precinct commander.

Inspector Michele Irizzary, who came on as the commanding officer of the 115th Precinct over the summer, said officials are "seeing a lot of scams" over the past week. 

"You'll be home and you'll get a phone call and it's someone claiming that they are from the IRS and you owe back taxes to the tune of $3K, and in order for you to get it to zero, they want you to go out and purchase iTunes gift cards," she said.

People caught up in the fraud buy the cards, call the scammers back and read off the numbers — some even going out multiple times for different cards.

"If you do owe money to the IRS, they don't want payment in the form of [iTunes] gift cards, trust me."

The swindles are similar to the GreenDot MoneyPak scams that have plagued the precinct and the city for years.

In addition to the IRS gift cards, residents have also been caught up in rental flimflams, where people posing as real estate agents hoodwink them into putting down deposits on fake apartments.

Some have also deposited faulty checks from fraudulent employers with the promise of jobs.

Some have been told they won the lotto, and can claim millions in rewards by sending over a check.

And residents have also sent thousands of dollars to callers claiming a loved one has been kidnapped — and they can set them free, for a price.

"If you get a phone call that your cousin, brothers, sister, mother, uncle is kidnapped in Ecuador, please just come to us, call 911, let us know," Irizzary said.

"Please do not send money, because I can assure you in all likelihood, nobody in your family is kidnapped."

While it's not clear how many people have been caught up in the rackets, the precinct boss wanted to spread the word, especially to the most helpless residents. 

"We're hearing too many people are becoming victimized because they're vulnerable," she said.