Man Arrested After Suffolk Check-Washing Scam That Cost 2 Women $20K: Police

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Bronx man was arrested in a check-washing scam that left 2 Suffolk County women with combined losses of more than $20,000, according to Suffolk County police.

Police said John Dematteo, 58, washed and changed payment information on 14 checks that had been stolen while in transit through the United States Postal Service beginning in August 2025.

An 86-year-old Bay Shore woman had 12 checks washed, resulting in a loss of $17,315, police said. A 73-year-old Patchogue woman had 2 checks washed, resulting in a loss of $3,414, police said.

Following an investigation by Financial Crimes Unit detectives, Dematteo was charged with 2 counts of third-degree grand larceny and 2 counts of first-degree identity theft, police said.

He was scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Police said the United States Postal Inspection Service was notified of the investigation.

Detectives are asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Dematteo, or who has additional information about the scam, to contact the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit at 631-852-6821.