2 Men Arrested After $250K Sweepstakes Scam Targeting 92-Year-Old: Police

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Two men were arrested Friday after Suffolk County police said they used a fraudulent sweepstakes prize scheme to scam a 92-year-old Central Islip resident out of more than $250,000.

According to Suffolk County police, the victim received a phone call in December 2025 claiming he had won $18 million in the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes. Police said the caller told the man he needed to complete paperwork and pay taxes and fees in order to receive the money.

During subsequent calls, the victim was instructed to write personal checks, withdraw cash and obtain cashier’s checks from his bank account, police said. Authorities estimated the initial loss at more than $250,000.

Following an investigation conducted with assistance from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD Financial Crimes Task Force, Suffolk County Police Financial Crimes Unit detectives identified two suspects, police said.

Oral Durloo, 31, of Brooklyn, and Brandon Nairne, 31, of Queens, were arrested Friday and charged with second-degree grand larceny, according to police.

Both men were being held overnight at the Third Precinct in Bay Shore and were scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 14 at First District Court in Central Islip, police said.

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by the pair is asked to contact Suffolk County police.