(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Oral Durloo, 31, of Brooklyn, and Brandon Nairne, 31, of Queens, were arrested for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree for allegedly deceiving a 92-year-old victim into believing that he won an $18 million dollar Publishers Clearing House Prize and that he had to pay $250,000 in taxes and fees in order to collect the purported winnings.
“We will not tolerate criminals who prey on our seniors. Anyone who targets the elderly in Suffolk County will be held accountable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the joint efforts between our Financial Crimes Bureau and our law enforcement partners in Homeland Security and the Suffolk County and New York City Police Departments, we were able to identify and arrest the defendants.”
According to the investigation, in December 2025, the 92-year-old victim received a phone call from an individual allegedly claiming to be a representative of Publishers Clearing House, who informed him that he had won an $18 million dollar sweepstakes prize. After the victim expressed hesitation, the caller allegedly reassured him that a “representative” would come to the victim’s residence to provide paperwork confirming his winnings. That representative further instructed the victim that in order to obtain the payout, he would have to pay money to Publishers Clearing House to be used for taxes and processing fees. Subsequently, over several days, the defendants allegedly returned to the victim’s home to collect monies totaling several thousand dollars. On one occasion, the defendants transported the victim to his bank to allegedly obtain a $200,000 cashier’s check. In total, it is alleged that this scheme led the victim to withdraw approximately $257,000 from his bank account. After he realized he was scammed, the victim contacted the Suffolk County Police Department who commenced this investigation with the Financial Crimes Bureau of the District Attorney’s Office.
On February 14, 2026, Durloo and Nairne were arraigned before Suffolk County District Court Judge Steven Weissbard for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony.
Although Judge Weissbard ordered Durloo to be released on his own recognizance because the charge is considered non-bail eligible under New York State law, Durloo will be held on an extraditable arrest warrant issued from Connecticut on unrelated charges. Durloo is due back in court on February 17, 2026, and he is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.
Judge Weissbard ordered Nairne to be released on his own recognizance because his charges are considered non-bail eligible under New York State law. Nairne is due back in court on February 18, 2026. He is being represented by Eric Besso, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jen Milito of the Financial Crimes Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Daniel Pagano of the Suffolk County Police Department.