April 2, 2021
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It is important to me that you know about a scam that is affecting so many of our seniors here in Queens County. 
 
Seniors are being targeted on a daily basis by sophisticated phone scammers pretending to be a grandchild or other loved one in trouble and needing cash for bail. This con has been so often used it’s being called the Grandparent Jail Bail Scheme. 
 
Once the caller confirms the senior has a grandchild, another person gets on the line and plays the role of a lawyer representing the grandchild. The victims are urged to provide cash for bail to free their loved one from jail. They are told to have cash available for a courier who will pick up the money in person, send money by US mail, Federal Express or United Parcel Service.  

PLEASE BE WARY OF ANY CALL WHERE YOU ARE ASKED TO SEND CASH.

If you do get this call:

  • Take down the caller's name and phone number
  • Verify the information about your loved one
  • Do not agree to give cash, gift cards or wire money to a stranger for the purpose of paying bail   

If you are targeted, please report these calls to your local police precinct and to my Elder Fraud Unit here at the Queens District Attorney’s Office. You can reach out by phone, at 718-286-6578 or by sending an email to ElderFraud@queensda.org.
In Friendship,

Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
In The Courts
  • Queens man charged with murder in bludgeoning death of elderly neighbor
DA Katz Gives Opening Remarks for Queens Borough President's Virtual Gender Justice Summit
It was my pleasure to greet participants attending Queens Borough President Donovan Richards’ virtual Gender Justice Summit on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. The 5-hour online summit featured panels discussing women’s rights issues.

During my remarks, I talked about the work of our office on behalf of domestic violence survivors. We work closely with the Queens Justice Center to provide resources, such as emergency shelter to victims during a crisis. The office also has a Domestic Violence Strategic Threat Alert Team (DVSTAT) that works to identify and enhance the prosecution of high-risk domestic violence cases when they occur.

Please take note of our 24/7 Domestic Violence Helpline, 718 286-4410.
Information Needed
As part of our regular request for help on behalf of the Cold Case Unit, I am asking for any information regarding the death of Ian Welch, who was killed while sitting inside his vehicle in Jamaica, Queens.

If you have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact the NYPD Crimestoppers. All tips are confidential!
Women's History Month Celebration Event
Community Partnerships Executive Assistant District Attorney Colleen Babb and Intake Bureau Chief ADA Mariam Sanni-Adigun participated in The Blank Project: Building Leaders & Activists in a New Kulture webinar this week.

The panelists - women from varying backgrounds and careers - shared stories with the audience on their experiences and how they navigated their roads to success.
Combating Hate
There has been a recent spike in attacks on people of Asian descent. This coming Wednesday please join me and a panelist of elected officials, members of law enforcement and victim advocates as we discuss ways to stop the violence.

To register, please visit my website here.
Covid Vaccine Update
More than 4 million people in New York have received the Covid-19 vaccine. If you are over 30, it’s your turn now. Just recently the Governor announced that all individuals over 30 years old are now eligible to be vaccinated.

That means more than 12 million New Yorkers can sign up, in addition to our first responders, teachers, nurses, healthcare workers, grocery store employees, public safety workers and those with underlying health conditions.

The vaccine is available at pharmacies, hospitals and doctors’ offices, and a myriad of other locations. For more information on eligibility requirements, vaccine locations and more please click here.

Even with so many being vaccinated, this pandemic is still real and is still health crisis. So, do continue to take measures outlined by the CDC – wear a face mask, wash your hands and physically distance yourself from others.

We’re going to get through this, together.