Fake Federal Agents Arrested in Monroe After Targeting Kiryas Joel Resident in $13K Scam

Monroe, NY – A scheme targeting a member of the Kiryas Joel Jewish community ended in dramatic fashion Monday afternoon, when two men posing as federal agents were arrested following a coordinated police sting.

The incident unfolded after a young Kiryas Joel resident received a call from someone claiming to be a federal officer. The caller alleged that there was a warrant out for his arrest and demanded $13,500 in cash to avoid being detained by the FBI. Sensing something was off, the man contacted Moshe Vitriol, director of Kiryas Joel Public Safety (KJSP).

Massive Sting Operation Results of Serial Scammershttps://t.co/HE4qorzDN8 pic.twitter.com/PeYYB8ZYmQ

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Vitriol quickly reached out to the New York State Police, and a plan was set in motion. The supposed “meeting” took place shortly after 5 p.m. at a hotel in Monroe, where the target handed over an envelope that appeared to contain the demanded cash. In reality, it was filled with toilet paper. Moments later, police intercepted and arrested the suspects a short distance away, near Route 208 and Museum Village Road.

The identities of the two men have not yet been released, pending an ongoing investigation. Authorities are now looking into whether the suspects may be connected to a broader pattern of scams that have hit Kiryas Joel in recent weeks.

Two weeks ago, KJSP released a Yiddish-language video alerting the community to a wave of scams targeting Orthodox families. Victims have been tricked into handing over tens of thousands of dollars in fake emergencies or under fabricated threats.

According to Vitriol, the educational campaign is working. “Since the video went out, I’ve received dozens of calls from people questioning suspicious situations,” he said.

One such call came from Lakewood, New Jersey, where a grandmother was told her grandson had been arrested. Vitriol advised checking with the boy’s yeshiva, which quickly confirmed he was safe and in school — the call had been a hoax.

“Call someone. Verify the story before taking any action,” Vitriol advised. “Even if you hear a girl crying, ‘Babby, help!’ — they can fake that with AI.”

He also warned the public to be wary of anyone demanding immediate payment, especially through unconventional means.

“The federal government does not demand money over the phone — and they definitely don’t send people to CVS to buy gift cards,” Vitriol said. “If something feels off, contact the police or local authorities immediately.”