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Scam Artists Bilk Woman–“Textbook” Pigeon Drop Operation

Filed Under Uncategorized 

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 3/27/2007 – An elderly woman visiting from Valencia was the latest victim of a scam operation known as a “Pigeon Drop.”  Her loss was $7,000 in cash.  Although there are many subtle variations on this scam, in this case the suspects followed a near “textbook” Modus Operandi, or M.O.  On 3/19/07 at 11:30 a.m., the 69-year-old woman was walking alone at Chapala and Cota Streets.  Two well-dressed women in a newer red Chevy sedan pulled along side and contacted her.  They asked where “Lost and Found” could be found.  They showed her a black satchel, saying they found but had not opened it.  The victim was reluctant to become involved, but the suspects were very persistent.  The victim was convinced to open the satchel which appeared to contain $120,000 in cash.  There was no identification.  One suspect pretended to call ‘an attorney friend’ for advice.  The supposed advice was that the money must be the ill-gotten gains from a drug dealer.  The ‘attorney’ said they could keep the money only if they split it three-ways.  The victim was convinced she must first present $7,000 cash in “good-faith” money.  The victim was reluctant but the suspects persistently enticed her to join in the scheme.  The victim finally agreed and got into the car with the two suspects.  They drove the victim to an upper State Street bank, where the victim withdrew $5,000 cash.  They drove her to a downtown bank where the victim withdrew $1,000 and then $1,000 more.  The victim handed over the $7,000 in “good faith” money.  Instead of splitting the found money three ways, the victim was told to wait in the bank for the ‘attorney’ to contact her.  She waited 20 minutes before realizing she had been duped.  Suspect #1 is described as a white female, brown hair, early 40s, 5-7, 190 lbs, wearing rings on each finger.  Suspect #2 is described as a white female, shoulder length reddish-blond hair, late 30s, 5-3, 120 lbs.

In addition to the Pigeon Drop, other local scams include the Winning Lottery scam, Fake Gold Bar scam, and the Fake Jewelry scam.  SBPD advises the public to be extremely wary of strangers offering to share valuables.  Never, under any circumstances hand over cash or valuables as a sign of “good faith.”  If there is any doubt, contact the police.

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