NEW YORK — A frum woman in Williamsburg was scammed out of $24,000 in cash by a suspect posing as a law enforcement officer, prompting a sting operation that led to the arrest of the alleged scammer, community safety group Shomrim confirmed.

According to Williamsburg Shomrim, the victim was contacted by an individual claiming to be a government agent, pressuring her to immediately hand over large sums of money to avoid legal trouble. Fearing consequences, the woman complied and delivered the cash.

After reporting the incident, Shomrim coordinated with the NYPD to carry out a controlled sting operation. The suspect, who returned to collect more money, was apprehended on the spot by officers.

“This is part of a growing trend of scammers preying on our community’s trust and fears,” said a Shomrim spokesperson. “We urge everyone to stay vigilant and never hand over money without verifying the source.”

Authorities are urging residents — especially seniors — to remain cautious and report suspicious calls or visits from individuals claiming to be government officials.