Police: Scammers posing as utility workers steal jewelry from Cocoa woman

Residents warned to stay vigilant

File photo.

COCOA, Fla. – Cocoa police said a woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars in jewelry by two men posing as utility workers.

About 4 p.m. Monday, the men went to a home in the 300 block of Pomolo Street and said they were with the “water department,” according to News 6 partner Florida Today.

Recommended Videos



The 89-year-old woman let them inside because they said they needed to test her water because a nearby line was broken, police said. The men asked her to go into the kitchen and run the water and watch for a red dye to come out, she told police. That's when they took the jewels, police said.

The woman did not realize she had been victimized until a few hours later.

A similar scam has been perpetrated multiple times in the Vero Beach area, detectives said.

The woman could not provide firm details of the mens' appearance.

Cocoa police said residents who are greeted at their homes unannounced by a person claiming to represent a public service such as a utility, they should either ask for credentials or contact the company they claim to represent and verify their information. For Cocoa residents, they can call the non-emergency line at 321-639-7620. 


Recommended Videos