Woman arrested for stealing thousands from victim as part of scam

Press Release

On May 3, 2024, New York State Police at Oneonta arrested India Evans, age 43 of Schenectady, NY for the class “D” felony of Grand Larceny in the third degree.  

An investigation revealed that Evans stole in excess of ten thousand dollars from a victim. 

The investigation began at the end of April after a victim reported to Troopers that she received a phone call from someone who identified themselves as a public defender and told her that her family member had been in an accident and they needed a large sum of money.  The victim was instructed to withdraw cash, wrap it in a magazine, seal it in an envelope, and give it to a carrier. 

After handing over the money, the victim was called and instructed to send more money, but this time using Western Union.  

The victim did attempt to call her family members to confirm that they had been in an accident but wasn’t able to make contact until much later.  The victim found out that their family member had never been in an accident and had been scammed.  

Investigators were able to identify Evans as the “carrier” that picked up the first amount of cash.  

Evans was picked up by police in Schenectady and then turned over to Troopers.  Evans was then transported to Central Arraignment and Processing at the Otsego County Jail.  

The New York Troopers remind citizens that often, times these scammers use scare tactics or give a sense of urgency so that they don’t have time to think clearly and demand money.  Make sure to make contact with the family member before ever handing off or sending any money.