Brooklyn man allegedly fleeces elder of $250K in Valley Stream

A Brooklyn man was put in custody in connection with a scam that swindled a 94-year-old man out of close to $250,000. On Sept. 22, 2022, the man got a call from an individual posing as a Publishers Clearing House representative, promising a hefty cash prize, police say. The alleged fraudster insisted that the taxes be paid upfront to claim the winnings.

The man complied and issued various cashier’s checks, coughing up a roughly quarter million dollar sum sent to several recipients. Eventually, the man realized he had been conned and called the police shortly after.   

After a multi-agency investigation led by the Nassau County Fraud and Forgery Unit, police arrested Jamario Smellie, 27, on April 5. He is charged with grand larceny and was arraigned the same day at First District Court in Hempstead. He is due back in court on May 3. 

Nassau County Police Department officials issue a stern warning to residents, urging vigilance against potential scams or fraud. Detectives request anyone with information on the above crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (1-800) 244-8477 or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.