Law enforcement officials have disseminated photographs of four young men who allegedly tried to rob a woman by employing a well-known basketball fundraising scam in conjunction with the money transfer application Zelle. According to police reports, the group confronted the woman near the intersection of West 101 Street and West Drive in Central Park on Tuesday, soliciting her for donations to a basketball fundraiser.
The 23-year-old female reported to law enforcement that she had given her phone to one of the assailants, who attempted to initiate a transfer of funds from her Zelle account. Fortunately, she managed to retrieve her phone prior to any funds being transferred, and the suspects subsequently departed the scene.
"I said yeah, I yeah, I can give you five bucks, what's your Zelle,"
Briana Siaca said. "I opened my Zelle and I asked what's your account.
He goes 'Oh no, don't worry ma'am. I'll put it in for you ma'am, no
problem.' I looked at my Zelle account and I sent $2,000."
