FEBRUARY 2004
Scams, or "cons" (confidence games) as they used to be called, have been around for centuries and are part of history just like good ole apple pie. "The Sting," "Confidence," and "Catch Me If You Can" are a few movies that have glamorized this crime and leave the impression that only "bad guys" get scammed. Unfortunately, this is far from true. Certain scams target specific groups (senior citizens, people with various disabilities, etc.). Today's most common scheme involves telephone calls and/or e-mails where the suspect contacts masses of individuals in search of victims. Following are two examples. Scam Number One After enjoying a cup of coffee and reading the morning paper, John Doe checks his email where he's received a message from a poor man in Zimbabwe whose father's farm was taken by the government because he didn't support the new president's political ideology. The father fought valiantly, eventually succumbing to the wounds received in battle. Fortunately, however, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The father had placed $12.5 million in a Holland bank account. The son is seeking political asylum and cannot claim the money. The son offers John Doe twenty percent (plus expenses) if Mr. Doe assists the son by claiming the $12.5 million. John Doe thinks he's just won the lotto, and has visions of retiring to his own private island. He agrees to help, and emails personal information so his share of the $12.5 million can be "wired" directly to his bank account. Days later, no money has been "wired," and John Doe discovers someone from a foreign country has drained his bank account by writing fraudulent checks using the information Mr. Doe provided. There are several variations to this scam (foreign investment opportunities, winning the Canadian lotto, etc.); however, the basics are the same. Scam Number Two Jane Doe is sitting at the kitchen table paying bills when the telephone rings. A very polite individual from "VISA Security" says her VISA card has been compromised and Jane is the potential victim of several thousand dollars in fraud. Jane breathes a sigh of relief when told she will not be responsible for the charges. "VISA Security" then asks Jane for her account number to confirm they are actually speaking to her. Within a few weeks, Jane Doe is the victim of several thousand dollars in fraud because of the information she provided to the person on the telephone. These scams are different in approach, however, parallel factors include "shocking" your senses (my poor father lost his farm; you're a potential victim) and then "befriending" you (you will receive twenty percent of 12.5 million; you won't be responsible for charges). Con artists are predators; they forge a bond with their victims and then exploit them. Protect yourself from becoming a scam victim. Never provide personal information (account numbers, social security number, etc.) via telephone or email, and don't be greedy. If it seems too good to be true; it probably is. To quote a very wise woman (my mom), "Nothing in life is free!" Here's the scenario I'd like to see. John Doe is sitting at home checking his email and discovers he is the winner of the Canadian lotto. He is delighted to win even though he knows he didn't buy a ticket. At the same time his wife, Jane, answers the phone and is asked for her credit card account number to thwart an ongoing credit card scam. John immediately deletes his email. Jane immediately hangs up the phone. The Doe's return to their morning coffee, and share a laugh over the shamelessness of scam artists.
Sergeant Mike Don
Crime Prevention Division | 
