Date: April 11, 2025
To: The NYU Community
From: NYU Department of Campus Safety
Re: Safety Advisory - Vehicle / Jewelry Scam
The NYU Department of Campus Safety has received multiple reports of a scam being conducted in the Washington Square area by individuals traveling in vehicles. We are informing the community of this so that they have heightened awareness if approached by people in vehicles near the campus core area.
These reports have the following in common:
- Individuals inside a vehicle will call out to passersby on the sidewalk
- In order to gain attention and entice a victim to approach, the individuals may display jewelry like a gold necklace, chain, or ring
- Once a victim engages, the individuals will say they need money to return to their home—usually to an overseas or far away location—and offer to exchange the jewelry for cash or gift cards
- Victims have been driven in the vehicle to a local bank or pharmacy to procure cash or gift cards, which they then give to the perpetrators
Given this pattern of incidents, we recommend paying additional attention to your surroundings and employing your best judgement as you navigate campus and nearby areas. We also suggest:
- Never enter the vehicle of someone you don't know
- Be weary of any situation where someone you don’t know is attempting to convince you to withdraw money for them
- If you're suspicious someone is trying to scam you, pay heed to your instincts
These incidents have been reported to local law enforcement and they are actively investigating this pattern. If you have additional information about these incidents, please contact the NYPD at 1(800) 577-TIPS.
Our team is here to support you. If you experience an incident like this, please contact Campus Safety at (212) 998-2222, via text through
the Safe NYU app or find the nearest Campus Safety Officer.
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