Elderly Man Loses Fortune in Publishers Clearing House Scam

Two con artists tricked a 92-year-old Long Island man into paying $250,000 in bogus 'taxes and fees' for an $18 million prize he never won.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Two men, Oral Durloo and Brandon Nairne, were arrested for scamming a 92-year-old Long Island man out of $250,000 by convincing him he had won an $18 million Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes prize. The men told the victim he needed to pay taxes and fees before collecting the winnings, then took him to the bank to withdraw the money.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to sophisticated financial scams. Preying on seniors' trust and excitement over potential windfalls, the con artists were able to steal a significant sum of money. It underscores the need for greater awareness and protection for the elderly against these types of predatory schemes.

The details

According to prosecutors, the scam began in December 2025 when the unidentified 92-year-old victim received a call from someone claiming to be a Publishers Clearing House representative. The caller told the man he had won an $18 million prize, but needed to pay $250,000 in taxes and fees before collecting the winnings. The victim was then visited at his home by Durloo and Nairne, who posed as 'representatives' and drove him to the bank to withdraw the money, which he handed over to them.

  • In December 2025, the victim first received the call about the $18 million prize.
  • On Tuesday, Durloo and Nairne were arrested for the scam.

The players

Oral Durloo

A 31-year-old man from Brooklyn who was arrested for his role in the scam.

Brandon Nairne

A 31-year-old man from Queens who was arrested for his role in the scam.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney

The district attorney who announced the arrests and stated that criminals who target the elderly in Suffolk County will be held accountable.

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What they’re saying

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

— Ray Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney (nypost.com)

What’s next

Durloo is being held on an extraditable warrant out of Connecticut on unrelated charges, while Nairne is scheduled to return to court on February 18th.

The takeaway

This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for increased vigilance and protection for the elderly against sophisticated financial scams. It highlights the importance of educating seniors on how to identify and avoid these predatory schemes, as well as the necessity for stronger laws and enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.