Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
"Pigeon Drop" Scam Forever: Cops Release Video Of Suspects Wanted For Timeless Con
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 12, 2012
Modified Sep 12, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 12, 2012
Modified Sep 12, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Ah, the pigeon drop scam, one of the classic urban schemes used by tricksters to dupe some poor sap. The setup, which has many variations, usually involves two con artists who approach their mark claiming to have found a wallet/bag/something full of money. The confidence men (or women) then lure their mark into an argument about the item's worth or attainability, persuading the mark that he or she can get a piece of the action. At some point it's usually suggested that all three put deposits down to prove they're committed to sharing the money. Of course, the other two people are in on it together and the victim is left with a worthless item and lightened walled. It's a timeless trick, and it just happened in Brooklyn's 61st Precinct—and some poor lady lost $66,000!
Police released a video of two women who apparently pulled off the pigeon drop and are now wanted for grand larceny by deception. On August 28, at around 1:30 p.m. near Kings Highway and East 16 Street, the women "approached the victim with bag of money and offer to share the money for an advance fee."
Pigeon Drop Scam from Gothamist on Vimeo.
Police say the women are black females, ages 40-50, wearing dark-colored wigs and dark sunglasses who were last seen in a 4-door Audi. Update: Turns out the victim gave up $66,000!! The Daily News reports, "The woman agreed to give the duo the $65,000 they asked for. They took her to a bank and her nearby home and accepted $50,000 in jewels and about $16,000 in cash, police said. Before leaving the suspects gave her a bank bag." When she opened it, it was full of... paper.
Elderly victims, as well as the naive, are usually targeted by pigeon drop scammers (we've heard about this scam around NYU). Another infamous con to be aware of: The "You broke my glasses"/"You made me drop my insulin shot" scam.
Tagged
brooklyn
pigeon drop
pigeon drop scam
scam
you broke my glasses
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 7:42 p.m. ET
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
News
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
Police arrest man in Queens stabbings that ended with officer shooting woman
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .