The latest scam hitting New York City involves seemingly innocent teens claiming they need funds for their basketball team uniforms.
Real estate agent and former Miss New York USA Briana Siaca has taken to TikTok to warn others after being scammed out of $2,000 through Zelle by these crafty con artists.
In a TikTok video that has garnered over 831,000 views, Siaca, who goes by @bri.nyc on the platform, recounted her encounter with two boys in Madison Square Park.
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The teens approached her, claiming they were raising money for their South Bronx basketball team’s uniforms. Moved by their story, Siaca offered to donate some money. Without cash on hand, she asked if they accepted Venmo or Zelle. They indicated a preference for Zelle.
“I opened my Zelle, and I said, ‘What’s your account?’ and he goes, ‘Oh no, don’t worry, ma’am. I’ll put it in for you, no problem,'”
Siaca explained. Handing over her phone, she engaged with the other boy, who continued to talk about their team and how her donation would make a difference.
However, Siaca soon noticed something was off. “I realized that the young boy with my phone was taking a long time, so I kind of grabbed it from him.
And he’s like, ‘Thank you, ma’am, appreciate you,’ and they ran off,” she recounted.
To her horror, she discovered that $2,000 had been transferred from her Zelle account. Siaca immediately contacted her bank, but they offered little assistance. She also reported the incident to the police, finding the NYPD to be very supportive.
“They did everything they possibly could. I went to the precinct, and I worked with the detectives,” Siaca said.
The officers informed her that this scam was part of a larger operation, with similar incidents occurring throughout the city, including at New York City parks and Barclays Center.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Siaca expressed her disbelief: “I’m shocked. It feels kind of like a scary dream. These boys were so seemingly sweet and innocent and really charming.
I thought it was really brave that they were going around raising money for their team.”
She concluded her video with a warning for viewers: “Just be super careful out there.”
The comments section of her video was filled with a mix of support and criticism. One viewer wrote, “Thank you for sharing because honestly I would have done the same as you!!”
while another chided, “NEVER give anyone your phone. Hello?”
A supportive comment read, “You seem very compassionate and this was unfortunate. Not your fault. Continue to look fabulous and lesson learned.”
Responding to a comment questioning her New York credentials, Siaca clarified in a follow-up video that she was from Brentwood, Long Island, and had lived in New York City for 12 years.
She defended herself by saying, “Guys, you can be from New York and still get scammed. … I’m sorry I fell for the oldest trick in the book. It was new to me.”
Siaca’s experience serves as a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance, even in familiar surroundings.
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