$18M “Prize” Turned Into $257K Loss For Suffolk Senior: DA

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Two men from Queens and Brooklyn were arrested and charged after prosecutors said they deceived a 92-year-old Suffolk County resident into believing he had won an $18 million Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes prize — then convinced him to hand over roughly $257,000 in “taxes and fees” to claim the supposed winnings.

Oral Durloo, 31, of Brooklyn, and Brandon Nairne, 31, of Queens, were charged with second-degree grand larceny, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said, after an investigation into what prosecutors described as an elaborate sweepstakes scheme targeting an elderly victim.

According to the investigation, the 92-year-old victim received a phone call in December 2025 from someone who claimed to be a representative of Publishers Clearing House and told the victim he had won an $18 million sweepstakes prize.

When the victim expressed hesitation, prosecutors said the caller tried to reassure him by saying that a “representative” would come to the victim’s residence with paperwork confirming his winnings.

After that visit, the supposed representative told the victim that to receive the payout, he would have to pay Publishers Clearing House money for taxes and processing fees, prosecutors said.

Over the next several days, prosecutors said, the defendants returned to the victim’s Central Islip home multiple times to collect money totaling several thousand dollars.

On one occasion, Tierney said, the defendants transported the victim to his bank to obtain a $200,000 cashier’s check.

In total, prosecutors say, the victim withdrew about $257,000 from his bank account as a result of the scheme.

After realizing he had been scammed, the victim contacted the Suffolk County Police Department, prosecutors said. The police then began an investigation with the Financial Crimes Bureau of the DA’s Office.

Durloo and Nairne were arraigned Feb. 14, before Suffolk County District Court Judge Steven Weissbard on second-degree grand larceny, a Class C felony, the DA said.

Judge Weissbard ordered Durloo released on his own recognizance because the charge is non-bail eligible under New York State law, prosecutors said. However, Tierney said Durloo is expected to remain held due to an extraditable arrest warrant from Connecticut on unrelated charges. Durloo is due back in court Feb. 17, 2026, and is represented by the Legal Aid Society, prosecutors said.

Judge Weissbard also ordered Nairne released on his own recognizance because the charge is non-bail eligible under New York State law, the DA said. Nairne is due back in court Feb. 18, 2026, and is represented by Eric Besso, who was not immediately available to respond to a request for comment.

“We will not tolerate criminals who prey on our seniors. Anyone who targets the elderly in Suffolk
County will be held accountable,” Tierney said. “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.”