Full Notification

Two suspects in custody for scamming senior citizens.

On Friday 042012, an alert store employee in the 900 blk of Fair Oaks contacted police when she saw two men who appeared to be harassing an elderly woman. SPPD Officer’s determined that the S’s were in the middle of a “Pigeon Drop” scheme, known as “The Jamaican Switch”. The S’s also attempted the same scheme on 031612 in the 400 blk of Fair Oaks, but were unsuccessful.

Scheme: The suspect says that he is trying to donate a large sum of money to the poor or a church, and then a second suspect shows up, pretending to be a passer-by offering to assist, and offers up “Good Faith” Money. The S’s then persuade the victim to produce his/ her share of additional good faith money and all the proceeds are placed together. The S’s then switch the money for cut up newspaper and by the time the victim discovers the switch, the S’s are gone with their money.

If you have recently been contacted by suspects attempting this scheme, please contact South Pasadena Detectives at (626)403-7280