Police looking for suspects who bilked elderly woman
By Daily Press staff
A woman was swindled out of $4,000 Monday after two men convinced her she was chipping into a $300,000 winning lottery jackpot, police said.
The woman was apparently the victim of a fraud scheme police call a “pigeon drop.”
According to police, a man approached the 68-year-old woman at 12:50 p.m. on the Third Street Promenade, claiming he had a winning lottery ticket but was unable to cash it in because he was in the country illegally. He initially approached the victim, asking how to find a specific address while speaking in Spanish.
As he explained to her that he had the $300,000 winning ticket, a second man joined in on the conversation, offering assistance.
The first suspect told the woman that he would give her $10,000 if she helped him cash the lottery ticket. He told her that he needed to give the lottery commission $15,000 before he could claim the prize. The woman was asked if she had $15,000, but she told the man that she only had $4,000. The second suspect said he had $9,000 and would be willing to help, police said. The woman and the two men went to her bank and withdrew $4,000 in cash. After getting the money from the victim, both suspects fled. When they didn’t return, the woman called a friend and notified police at about 9 p.m.
The first suspect is described as a 52-year-old Hispanic, five feet, four inches tall, 180 pounds, having gray hair, brown eyes, a light complexion, wearing tan pants and a white jacket. The second suspect is described as a 35-year-old Hispanic, five feet, four inches tall, 140 pounds, having black hair, brown eyes, a dark complexion and wearing a dark suit.
Police warn residents to be cautious when someone asks for money in exchange for a prize, or to purchase items not bought from a store. Authorities also say people should be wary of producing large sums of cash to show good faith.
“Do not underestimate these criminals because they can be very inventive and persuasive,” said Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr. “Their game is to confuse or just plain trick you.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491. Callers who wish to provide anonymous information also can call the We-Tip national hot-line at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463). Callers with information that leads to an arrest and conviction become eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 15, 2004. Read the original PDF.