A New York City woman reportedly lost around $5,000 worth of jewelry after two strangers allegedly convinced her to trade her valuables for what they claimed was a winning lottery ticket.

According to police, the two individuals approached the woman and told her they had a lottery ticket that had won a substantial prize. They allegedly claimed they could not collect the winnings because of their immigration status.

The pair then persuaded the woman to hand over her jewelry — reportedly worth about $5,000 — in exchange for the supposed winning ticket.

But the deception did not end there.

After receiving the jewelry, the suspects allegedly asked the woman to visit a nearby pharmacy and purchase pain medication for them.

When she entered the store, the two individuals reportedly disappeared with her valuables.

Police have released images of the suspects as part of their investigation. One was reportedly wearing a white shirt, khaki pants and a newsboy-style cap, while the other was dressed entirely in black with a black baseball cap.

Authorities are urging anyone who recognizes the individuals or has information about the incident to come forward.

The case is another reminder that an unexpected offer involving valuable jewelry, lottery winnings or urgent requests for help can sometimes be a warning sign. 💎⚠️

Source: New York Post