Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Con Artists Use "Pigeon Drop Scam" On Elderly In Queens
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 16, 2010
Modified Apr 16, 2010
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 Apr 16, 2010
Modified Apr 16, 2010
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
Some grifters were trying the old "pigeon drop" or "empty wallet" scam on elderly targets in Queens. You know the pigeon drop: It's when someone claims there's a wallet/bag/something full of money and another person suggests you all put deposits down to prove you're all (you and the other scammers) are committed to sharing the money. According to the Daily News, "Looking for marks on Queens Blvd., the grifters left a wallet that appeared to be stuffed with cash on the sidewalk last month. [A 78-year-old] senior was walking to a bookstore when she saw the wallet - and was accosted by two men who opened it and claimed it held $300,000."
Apparently the wallet also had a note that said, "We hit it big in the third race. Give mom five or ten thousand. I'm going to Iraq." The woman was worried—she told the News, "There appeared to be a lot of cash in there and a note that led me to believe it had something to do with terrorism"—and wanted to take the wallet to the police. But one of the men claimed to be a lawyer and convinced her to go to an office, where they said she could get her cut if she offered a "good faith" deposit. The woman opted to go to the police, who later found the two men, Hiram Whitener, 69, of Spartanburg, S.C., and Charlet Merrit, 56, trying to scam another elderly woman.
eHow has tips on how to recognize the pigeon drop scam. Other popular scams include the "you broke my glasses" routine and the "mystery shopper" bit.
Tagged
patsy
pigeon
pigeon drop
queens
scam
target
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
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
In surveys, many who say they want want help state they don't know where to start.
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.
By
Walter Wuthmann
News
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
By
Catalina Gonella
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
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 .