HUDSON, NY — May 12, 2025: The New York State Police Livingston Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), in collaboration with the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office and the City of Hudson Police Department, has announced the arrest of Lance Norman, 36, of Queens, NY, in connection with a large-scale elderly scam.
According to authorities, Norman was charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a class C felony) and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (a class E felony) after an extensive investigation into a fraudulent Publishers Clearing House scheme. The investigation began when a Chatham, NY, resident reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to represent Publishers Clearing House. The caller falsely informed the victim that he had won $10 million and a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle, but would need to pay taxes on the prize money upfront.
The victim, believing the call to be legitimate, met with the suspect on two separate occasions in the City of Hudson, handing over a total of approximately $62,000 in cash. After the scam was reported, law enforcement agencies across the region were alerted with a description of Norman and his vehicle.
Norman was subsequently stopped by New York State Troopers from SP Hawthorne in Westchester County. During the traffic stop, troopers discovered a large amount of cash in Norman’s vehicle. He was interviewed by BCI investigators and admitted to meeting the victim twice and receiving the money.
Norman has been issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the City of Hudson Court on May 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
The New York State Police urge the public to remain vigilant against scams, particularly those targeting elderly individuals, and to report any suspicious activity involving financial fraud.
