NEW YORK (1010 WINS/ WCBS 880 NEWS) – A Queens man is due in court on Thursday after he allegedly scammed two women out of nearly $167,000, one of whom had received her share from the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, Nassau County police said.
Richard Yasnis, 42, was arrested on Wednesday after he claimed to be a licensed investment advisor and a representative of Cahill Financial Group.
In July, Yasnis allegedly tricked a 53-year-old disabled woman and she gave him $79,000, which she had received from the 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund.
He also allegedly received about $88,000 from a 77-year-old woman, according to police. The second victim had cashed her deceased husband’s life insurance policy.
The victims were led to believe their money would be legitimately invested in real estate and stocks, but Yasnis failed to provide any documentation and eventually cut off all communication, police said.
He is now charged with grand larceny in the second degree.