Two scam artists disguised as clowns managed to deceive a 92-year-old man from Long Island out of a significant amount of money by making him believe he had won $18 million in a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, according to prosecutors.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney stated that Oral Darloo, 31, from Brooklyn, along with his accomplice Brandon Nairn, 31, manipulated elderly individuals into handing over $250,000 through a telephone scam that demanded payment of taxes and fees before they could claim their supposed winnings.
“We will not tolerate criminals who prey on our seniors,” Tierney said.
“Anyone who targets seniors in Suffolk County will be held accountable,” he added.
The scheme reportedly started in December 2025 when the victim received a call from someone claiming to represent Publishers Clearing House.
The caller allegedly informed him that he had won an astonishing $18 million but there were complications regarding taxes and fees, police reported.
Initially hesitant, the victim was convinced by the caller that a “representative” would visit him with official documents.
Authorities disclosed that Darloo and Nairn posed as the representatives and escorted the victim to a bank, where he withdrew a substantial cashier’s check to give to them.
It wasn’t long before the victim realized he had been scammed and subsequently reached out to Suffolk County police, who arrested the duo on Tuesday.
Darloo and Nairn face charges of grand larceny.
During their arraignment on Saturday, Judge Stephen Weisburd released both men on charges that New York state law does not allow bail for.
However, Darloo will remain detained due to an extradition warrant from Connecticut related to other offenses.
Nairn’s next court appearance is set for February 18th.
“Thanks to the collaborative efforts involving the Financial Crimes Bureau, the Department of Homeland Security, the Suffolk County Police Department, and the New York City Police Department, we were able to track down and apprehend the defendants,” Tierney noted.
