Middletown man arrested after allegedly pretending to be union rep and scamming multiple victims out of money

Middletown, New York – A 57-year-old man from Middletown has been taken into custody following a detailed investigation into a scheme involving fake promises of union membership. The arrest was announced by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in Middletown on April 4, 2025.

According to authorities, Armando J. Alarcon falsely claimed to be a representative of the Ironworkers Local 580 Union, a ruse he allegedly used to collect money from unsuspecting individuals. Police say he offered a fast-track into the union in exchange for a fee and even went as far as providing projected start dates to make the scheme appear legitimate.

However, victims soon discovered something was off. After handing over their money, many said Alarcon suddenly cut off all communication, leaving them in the dark and without the union opportunities they were promised.

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Investigators say these complaints led to a months-long effort to track down the suspect. Eventually, Alarcon was located and arrested on April 4. He now faces two felony charges: Grand Larceny in the 4th Degree and Scheme to Defraud in the 1st Degree, both classified as Class E felonies under New York law.

Following his arrest, Alarcon was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear before the Town of Wallkill Court on April 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

Authorities believe there may be more victims who have not yet come forward. “If you believe you were defrauded by Alarcon, or if you have any information related to the case, please contact the SP Middletown BCI at 845-344-5300,” police urged in a public statement.

The case has raised concerns among local residents and union members alike. While impersonation scams are not new, this incident highlights how fraudsters are becoming increasingly bold, exploiting the hopes of people seeking stable, good-paying jobs.

“This man gave me a date, told me I’d be starting work in two weeks. I thought it was legit. Then he just disappeared,” said one of the alleged victims, who preferred to remain anonymous.

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Investigators emphasized that the case is still active and developing. They are working to determine just how many people may have fallen for the scheme.

As the community waits for more answers, law enforcement officials are reminding the public to be cautious when dealing with offers that sound too good to be true—especially when money is involved.

For now, Alarcon will have his day in court, and authorities hope that by shedding light on this case, more individuals will come forward to share their stories and help bring closure to those affected.