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San Antonio
Police Department
SCAM-NET
SCAM PREVENTION ALERTS
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CURRENT SCAMS
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NEW HOME REPAIR SCAM ALERTS - ROOFING SCAM AND DRIVEWAY SCAM |
There have been a number of recent reports from
San Antonio and surrounding areas of various Scammers who approach
homeowners (usually elderly homeowners) and offer them a "deal"
on roofing or asphalt paving. They price the job at "several hundred
dollars", but on completion they insist the homeowner pay them
thousands of dollars. Homeowners are often so intimidated that they
write checks on the spot for the inflated prices. (This scam surfaces about
once a year - same scammers or different teams - there seems to be an
endless supply of these scammers.)
One team offering asphalt in the Boerne area is described as two black
males in a red dump truck. Another team active in San Antonio, Boerne, and
Kerr County is described as two white males driving a grey SUV and a white GMC
pickup. A roofing scam is being done by a white male with a company out of Dallas/Ft Worth.
PLEASE warn your neighbors and relatives: Do not agree to any home repair
work from persons who approach you. Get references before agreeing to
have any work done. Pay only the agreed-on (in writing) price. Call the
police if you feel you are being intimidated or threatened.
BANKS are alerted to be careful when cashing large checks on elderly
customers' accounts presented by out-of-town or out-of-state individuals.
See also ASPHALT PAVING SCAM posted last year. |
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FREE MEDICAL CARD SCAM ALERT |
RECENT SCAM: Unknown individuals (probably from Canada
or Nigeria) are calling elderly individuals and advising them that
they can receive a "Free Medical Card" if they provide the caller with their
Bank Account Number.
Advise and Alert your friends and relatives to NOT provide any Bank Account
information to callers. Your bank already knows your account
information; no one else needs to know!! |
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"WORK AT HOME" SCAM ALERT |
SCAM-NET readers are warned to beware of "Work At Home" scams
that involve the worker returning money to the "employer". This is still
another version of the popular "excess amount check or money-order" scams
that are listed elsewhere on the SCAMNET page.
In this scam, the person who signs up for (or responds to an invitation for) a
"Work At Home" job receives a check or money order which they are instructed
to deposit in their own bank account, and then wire part of the amount
back to the "company." The entire check eventually is found to be worthless,
and the worker is scammed out of the amount they wired back (plus any of
the rest of the check that they used).
The latest version of this scam is the "Secret Shopper", where workers are
sent a check to use in sample purchases of merchandise, but must send
part of the check back.
Additional information on this and similar employment or check/money-order scams can
be found at:
Federal Trade Commission - Mystery Shopper Alert
Fake Checks.Org
SNOPES.com
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GIFT CARD SCAM ALERT |
Be careful how you purchase Gift Cards for
holiday gift-giving. It appears that it is safer to purchase cards
directly from a clerk than select them from open display shelves.
Crooks can copy numbers from gift cards on store racks. Then, after the
card is purchased and activated, buyers use them to shop online by
entering the card numbers. So do the crooks. They phone an 800 number
to check on the balances for card numbers they have copied. When they
discover activated cards, they use the card numbers to buy merchandise on
a store's web site.
The legitimate owner of the gift card may find the account empty before
they even have an opportunity to make purchases.
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NEW: ANOTHER BAIT & SWITCH SCAM |
Another occurrence of the old "bait and switch scam"
has been reported in the Northwest part of San Antonio. Two black males and
one female approached the victim at Eckert and Bandera roads, and tried to
scam the victim out of money using a large amount of cash.
If you have any information about this incident or similar incidents,
please contact Detective Anderson at the Prue Substation Property
Crimes Unit, 207-8326. |
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NEW: ON-LINE GAMBLING AWARD SCAM FROM CANADA |
A new scam from Canada has been reported to SAPD.
The scammers, using the company name "Prudential Security, Inc.", send out
phony award claims with phony cashiers checks. The company claims to
be an on-line gambling company that has awarded the victim a cashiers
check ranging from $3000 to $5000. The victim must call a phone number
to authorize the release of the money, and must provide the scammers
with the victim's bank account number. The scammers tell the victim that
the cashiers check is only a small portion of the actual money the
victim has won - the actual amount is supposed to be between
$250,000 to $500,000.
DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM!!
The phone numbers of the scammers have been tracked to boiler rooms
in Canada. Any person playing on-line poker or gambling games is a
target. If you have been approached for this scam, please call SAPD to
report the incident (207-7273), and also advise the US Postal Inspector.
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FIESTA BUSINESS SCAM |
SAPD Investigations Units have issued an ALERT concerning
scams involving festivals at local county parks. According the several
reports, a male and female suspect have been contacting small businesses
and residents representing themselves as owners of a company named
"Festival Attractions."
In one of the reported scam incidents, the
suspects were selling slots for food booths at a local festival. The food
vendors would pay the suspects ("Festival Attractions") a fee, and in
return were given the opportunity to sell their products at the festival. When
they arrived at the park on the day of the festival they discovered that
no festival was ever scheduled.
A second scam incident involved selling advertisements to small businesses,
where the business name would appear on a calendar or banner that would be
displayed at non-existant festivals.
If you have any information concerning these scams or scammers, please
contact Sgt. James Conn at South Property Crimes, 207-7184. |
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EUROMILLONES LOTTO INTERNATIONAL SCAM |
Letters are arriving in local residents' mailboxes notifying
them that they have won large cash amounts in the "Euromillones Loteria
International", which was held on February 4, 2006. One letter stated "You have
been approved for the lump payout sum of $810,179...", which will be
deposited in the bank account of your choice (all relevant bank account and
personal information to be furnished to the Euromillones folks on a conveniently
provided form).
THIS IS A SCAM, just another version of the Spanish Lotto Scam described
elsewhere on this page. DO NOT SEND Euromillones any personal or bank
information!
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ANOTHER NIGERIAN CASHIERS' CHECK SCAM |
A San Antonio resident, who had posted a home for sale
on a web page, received an offer from a buyer who wanted them
to deposit a $10,000 cashiers' check in their
bank account, and then forward $8,000 to a travel
agency to pay for the prospective buyer to fly to San Antonio to finish the
purchase process. When the sellers replied to the "buyer" that they would
not participate in forwarding money to a third party, the "buyer" told them
he considered the house sold to him, and the sellers "must" deposit
the $10,000.
This is still another version of the Nigerian Cashiers' Check
Scam. The "buyer"
wants the $8000 (and possible access to the sellers' bank account),
not the house. Anytime someone wants to send you a cashiers' check or
money order, have you deposit it into your account, and then send them - or
someone - money FROM your account, IT IS A SCAM! The cashiers' check or
money order will turn out to be worthless, and you will have lost whatever
money you sent to them - and possibly more.
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ASPHALT PAVING SCAM RETURNS |
A San Antonio resident recently reported that the ASPHALT
PAVING TRAVELLERS ARE BACK IN TOWN, and scammed him on a driveway paving job. They
approached the victim with the usual story: "left-over asphalt from another
job", and offered to do his drive for half-price. The victim realized
later that he had been over charged and the work was half done.
The group in this case, consisting of 5 white males and one hispanic male, told
the victim that they lived in Idaho and Kileen, TX, but were currently staying
in Dilley, TX. The leader of the group, who was 6' tall, 280 lbs, was
driving a Black Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Edition truck, and one of the
other men was driving a Tan Chevrolet Truck, plus others drove the larger
trucks with the asphalt and bobcat.
San Antonio area residents and businesses
should be on the look-out for ANY paving
or construction workers who approach you unsolicited, with "special
bargains" on repair work that you did not order and probably do not
need. Travellers are professional con artists, and can usually talk
unsuspecting residents or business owners into cooperating in their scam.
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INTERNET RELAY BOGUS ORDER SCAM |
NEW TWIST ON OLD SCAM: Scammers, mostly in Nigeria, but also in
a variety of other countries, have increased their use of new technology in
a new twist on the old "419 Scam". Now using INTERNET RELAY (usually through
MCI or AT&T), they place a relay call to a US business that sells through the
web, and place a large order for merchandise. (Internet Relay is designed
so deaf or hearing impaired persons can communitate by internet "phone",
an internet version of TTY.)
The scammers usually provide several
credit card numbers to pay for the merchandise. (The cards later
turn out to be stolen or otherwise bogus.) The destination for the merchandise is
sometimes England, the Netherlands, or Nigeria (!!red flag!!).
Sometimes, the person ordering the merchandise offers to have
the order picked up, saving the merchant the trouble of shipping.
There have been numerous instances of this scam in recent years, and an
article on MSNBC summarizing the problem is posted at:
"Con Artists Target
Phone System for Deaf"
Any San Antonio business that believes they have been the victim of this
crime should contact their substation Property Crimes Unit.
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ID THEFT & JURY DUTY SCAM |
Alerts have recently been issued by several states' Attorneys General as well
as by the Army concerning a "Jury Duty Scam". Identity thieves pose as
representatives of the local court system and obtain personal information
from victims under the guise of obtaining "jury duty" information or by telling
the victim that they have missed a jury duty summons. The
theives then use this information for identity theft purposes.
BE ALERT: Your local court already has all of the information about you
necessary for jury duty lists.
A detailed discussion of this scam is posted at:
SNOPES.COM
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IMMIGRATION PAPERWORK SCAM |
Recently, SAPD detectives have become aware of at least 10 incidents involving
a SCAM that offers Mexican Nationals assistance with obtaining paperwork to
provide them with legal immigration status in the U.S. (work permit or
naturalization documents). The suspect tells the
victims that he will take care of all the paperwork, collects their money, and
then never delivers on what he promised. The fee the suspect collects
from each victim is in the
thousands of dollars.
The suspect has been described as a latin male, 35-45 years old, 5'06", 175,
bald, neatly dressed, using the name Javier Gonzalez. He has been seen driving a gray Ford
Taurus 4-door vehicle.
If anyone has information on this scam or on the suspect, please contact Det. Reyes
Lozano at Central Property Crimes, 207-7990.
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"CREDIT FIX" SCAM |
On May 28, 2005, a San Antonio resident was reading the "Thrifty Nickel"
newspaper and found an adertisement from an out-of-state company which
claimed they could help people with bad credit. The resident called the
listed phone number and was told to send $500 through Western Union. The
resident was told that this money would be used to clear up the resident's
bad credit problems, and that the company would also send the resident
back $5000 in the future. The resident sent the money and soon after
discovered that the company's phone and fax numbers had been
disconnected.
Submitted by South Property Crimes.
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"FREE RIDE" FOR ELDERLY SCAM |
There have been a number of reports from elderly residents about a
scam involving the offer of a "free ride." In this scam, the driver of
a vehicle pulls up to an elderly person at a bus stop or walking along a
road and offers them a "free ride." Often, the driver,
a latin female who speaks Spanish and English, leads the
elderly person to believe they know each other. Once they
get in the car, the driver takes them to their destination, but manages to
take their wallet or purse as she helps them get out of the car.
The suspect in most of these cases is described as a Latin female, in her 30s, with
short dark hair. The suspect vehicle is described as a White Chevy Malibu
with Texas plates. Incidents have been reported in Central, East and South
Service Areas.
If you have any information about this scam, please contact the South
Property Crimes Office, 207-7184.
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"NO-RISK, FREE TRIAL" CONFUSION |
Some elderly San Antonio residents have recently reported being confused
(and losing money) with "No-Risk, Free-Trial" offers they received through
the mail for "discount buyers clubs". The envelope contains a check for
$10.00, made out to the resident, which the resident is encouraged to sign and
cash or deposit. The next month, the resident is shocked to see that their
credit card account has been charged $8.99 for "membership fee". The
residents were also puzzled as to how their credit card had been charged, when
they did not supply an account number. Similar offers for "trial memberships",
with accompanying surprise charges, are also made through telemarketers.
Companies sending out such offers include in the fine print that the "trial
membership" must be cancelled in a specified number of days, or the "member's"
credit card will be charged. The companies sending out the offers have
access to credit card numbers through affiliation with the bank or company
owning the credit card account, so do not need for the "member" to provide
the credit card number.
For more information on the problems and issues surrounding
these "No-Risk, Free-Trial" offers, please go to the web
pages of :
FRAUD.ORG and
National Association of Attorneys General
Submitted by Tom De Chant, Joint City/County Commission on Elderly Affairs.
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NEW TWIST ON LOTTO/PRIZE SCAM |
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Recently reported in San Antonio: A resident received a call from a person
who said he was with "Publishers Clearing House", offering the resident
$250,000 if he would wire $2,500.00 by "Money-Gram" to any family
member. The resident sent $1,250, by Money-Gram wire, to his mother in
Del Rio, Texas. The resident received a receipt from the Money-Gram
company. However, the resident later learned that his mother, in Del Rio,
never received the money, and it was later learned that the Money-Gram
had been diverted, by an unknown person, to a location in Canada. It
was also learned that an unknown person in Canada had already claimed
the money. |
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ASPHALT PAVERS SCAM ALERT |
Law enforcement agencies in Texas as well as in other Southern states have
sent out alerts about several groups of "Travellers" who are doing
Asphalt Paving Scams, particularly on elderly homeowners. In these
scams, the Travelers (usually described as white males, in their 30's or
40's, driving nice pickups and pulling trailers with paving equipment),
approach the resident with a "too good to be true" discount deal on doing
paving work, requiring payment up front. After the resident has paid,
the Travellers either do a very quick, slipshod job (often just spreading
a little tar on top of the drive), or disappear altogether.
In a few cases, the Travellers actually dump asphalt on the driveway first,
then demand payment from the resident, making threats of harm if not
paid.
DO NOT agree to any repair or paving work without checking on the workers. (See
the
BASIC CONTRACTOR INFORMATION FORM linked here.)
Always call the police if someone threatens you.
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ANOTHER HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAM |
There have been several recent cases, both on the West side of San Antonio,
involving home improvement scams connected with the
same "remodeling company". In one case, the complainant believes the
remodeling workers were responsible for the disappearance of a large
dollar amount of jewelry; in
a second case, "owners" of the same remodeling company took a check for
$600 from the elderly resident, but did not return to do the work.
The "owners" of the company are described as white males in their 40's, with
one driving a dark blue or black pickup.
If anyone has additional information about this activity, please contact
Detective George Vidal at West Property Crimes, 207-8299.
NOTICE: All residents considering home remodeling or repairs should only deal
with repair companies/persons they already know, or should have the company
representative complete the
BASIC CONTRACTOR INFORMATION FORM linked here.
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GREEN CARD LOTTERY SCAM |
Local residents report receiving offers from a commercial company to assist them,
for a fee, with filling out application papers for the "Green Card Lottery"
(the US State Department's Diversity Visa -- DV -- Lottery).
The Federal Trade Commission
has issued a Scam Alert concerning "unscrupulus businesses and attorneys
who claim that, for a fee, they can make it easier for you to win the DV
Lottery."
Information on the DV Lottery (and on the scams that have grown up around it) is
posted at:
FTC ALERT: Diversity Visa Lottery: Read the Rules,
Avoid the Rip-Offs.
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BOGUS AGENT SCAM |
First Incident: An elderly San Antonio resident was recently having some plumbing repair
work done at her home when she was approached by two "agents": one
identified herself as an "insurance agent" and the second as a representative
the the District Attorney's Office. The two "agent" suspects told the elderly
resident that the plumbers were going to scam her, and the two agents were
there to apprehend them.
The suspects told the elderly resident that she would
need to cash a $12,000 check and split it with the suspects. One suspect told
the resident that the plumbers would ask for more money the following day,
and that when the suspects gave the plumbers their share of the $12,000, the
"agent" suspects would arrest the plumbers.
A friend of the resident's stopped by as the suspects were getting ready to take
the resident to the bank to cash the $12,000 check. The friend questioned
the suspects, who became nervous and fled.
The suspects, described as a white female and a white male, both in their 40s or 50s,
were driving a silver or gray Subaru Wagon.
The male suspect may be blind in one eye.
Second Incident: A few days later (12/21/04), the same two suspects, driving the same
vehicle as described above, approached another elderly woman and tried
to scam her out of $5000. The suspects identified themselves as Prudential
Insurance agents, and told the woman she needed to have her roof replaced. The
woman was in the process of writing a $5000 check when a friend happened to
intervene on her behalf.
If anyone has any additional information on this scam, or information on the
"agent" suspects, please contact East Property Crimes, 207-8854.
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SUGGESTED: "BASIC CONTRACTOR INFORMATION FORM" |
The City of San Antonio Office of Elderly Affairs (Community Initiatives) has
suggested that elderly residents who are arranging with contractors
for Home Repairs of any sort (roofing, foundation, driveway
repairs, painting, wiring, etc.) use
the
BASIC CONTRACTOR INFORMATION FORM linked here.
The form assists the homeowner in documenting the contractor's identification,
contact information, details of the work to be done, and the agreed
cost of the work to be done.
All homeowners are advised to "know your contractor", and not to do
business with suspicious contractors who appear at your door offering
to do repairs that you did not request or did not know you needed.
CALL THE POLICE IF SOMEONE TRIES TO PRESSURE YOU INTO LETTING THEM
DO REPAIRS YOU DID NOT REQUEST!
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ANOTHER NEW VERSION: CANADIAN LOTTO SCAM AGAIN |
The San Antonio Police Department has received several complaints
from San Atnonio citizens who have recently been receiving "Lottery Prize"
letters, with an enclosed check for $72,000. The letter states the law requires
the recipient to send an "international tax fee" of $1850.00 to claim the
lottery "winnings".
THIS IS A SCAM. DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY!!! The $72,000 check is worthless!!
For more information in this scam, please see the SAPD Press Release of
December 2, 2004: SCAM ALERT!
A sample of the Scam Letter and the $72,000 check are also posted here (PDF):
"BC Securities Winners Notification"
"A Division of Global Bank $72,000.00 Check"
Please also see the Canadian Lotto Scam posted below. |
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NEW VERSION: CANADIAN LOTTO SCAM AGAIN |
A local resident recently received a "Lottery Prize" letter by mail, with an
enclosed check for the amount of $169,021.67. The letter and check's heading
have the business name of "BC Holding Group, Office 16A, #1611-4500
Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, V5H-2A9, Canada."
In the letter, the Chief of Administration of the company tells the
resident to pay an "international tax fee" in the amount of $1,590.00, by
personal check, Money Order, or Western Union, before the prize check
can be cashed, and that the resident "cannot cash the check before September
30th, 2004."
The letter also mentions that the "United States and Canadian government has
officially certified this letter."
This lottery scam letter also lists a toll-free telephone for the resident
to call to ask questions.
WARNING: This is another SCAM. Tell your friends: DO NOT REPLY TO THIS LETTER!!
And DO NOT SEND MONEY!!
See also on this page:
Special Alert: Lotto Scam and
Spanish Lottery Scam, for similar lotto scams. |
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ROOF REPAIR SCAM ALERT |
Home Repair Scams are frequently discussed on the SCAMNET pages,
particularly scams targeting elderly residents. During the past year there
have been a number of incidents reported involving roof repairs that were
"forced" on an elderly victim. In these scams, the suspect comes to the
door and tells the elderly resident that they (the suspect) had installed
the roof on the house many years ago, and was returning to do necessary
upkeep or repairs (or, in one case, the suspect told the elderly resident
that he could see shingles loose and the roof obviously needed repair). When
the resident expresses doubt, or refuses the repairs, the con artist uses
any number of stories or ways to finally convince the resident to
give him a check. Repairs are never done, or if "work" is done, it is superficial
and most likely not needed in the first place.
In an incident that occurred on June 10, 2004, the suspect even left a
"1-800" phone number with the elderly resident, after getting a check for repair work
that does not appear to have been needed or done. (No one has been
able to contact the suspect through the 1-800 number.)
BEWARE of any repair persons who come to your door unsolicited. Call the
police if you believe someone is trying to scam you or pressure you into
paying for repairs that you do not want or need.
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DEBT COLLECTION SCAM ALERT |
There have been several incidents reported recently involving a business
contacting a local resident (often an elderly resident)
by phone, claiming the resident owes a large
amount of money (for services or for goods). When the resident disclaims any
knowledge of the debt or overdue account, the "collection agency" threatens
the resident with stronger collection tactics (going to court, etc.), but
offers to accept a percent of the money "owed" to settle the account. In
at least one incident, the "collection agency" mentioned a connection with
SAPD, apparently to make the resident believe there would be
a police response if they did not pay up.
The incidents where the "collection agency" phone number was noted indicate
the calls are coming from the Houston area. HPD has been notified and is
investigating.
If anyone has additional information concerning this scam, please contact
the SAPD Special Crimes office, 207-4481.
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CITIBANK ID VALIDATION SCAM ALERT |
Citibank has issued an ALERT concerning fraudulent e-mails Citibank
account holders may receive asking them to validate their
account information, including entering their PIN number and
other personal information into a web page.
For more information on this SCAM, please go to the
Citibank
"Fraudulent E-Mails" web page.
For an example of one of these fraudulent e-mails (this one was sent
to the SAPD web page by "Citibank [supportmsg26115@citibank.com]")
click HERE.
The same type of scam has also been sent out using a variety of bank names,
the names of various credit cards (Visa, etc.), as well as the names of
other financial institutions. ALL have the same goal: to get you to
tell them your PRIVATE account information, so they can use it for
fraudulent purposes.
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HOME REPAIR SCAM ALERT |
There have been several recent cases in the East Substation area involving elderly
homeowners being the victims of a Home Repair Scam. The SUSPECT, a white male, age 50,
5'11", 215 lbs, goes to the house of an elderly person, solicits
repair work, such as roof repair, climbs on the roof and does some minor
hammering and painting. The suspect then charges the elderly person several
thousand dollars. In two of the recent cases, the suspect was driving a
red pickup truck.
If anyone has information about the suspect or additional crimes, please
contact Sgt. Paul Presley, East Property Crimes, 207-8854.
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"TRAVELERS" ALERT |
Windcrest Police Department has provided information
that the "Travelers" are back in the San Antonio area and are in full operation.
These con artists travel around the country and specialize in
conducting paving and construction
scams on the elderly, as well as any other scams they can play. They always
demand FULL PAYMENT up front before they begin any work.
They have recently been spotted staying at a motel on IH 35. They appear
to have new equipment (trucks, trailers, paving machines, etc.) with false
telephone numbers, but with the "company" names Samco, Derry, and
Community Paving.
If you have any information on recent scams attempted or completed by
these "Travelers", please contact your local police department.
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SCHOLARSHIP SCAM INFORMATION!! |
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot has issued an alert concerning
a current SCHOLARSHIP SCAM. A company called the College Funding Center
has charged $1000 and promised to assist students find scholarship opportunities.
For more information on this and similar scams, as well as information on
where to file a complaint if you have been the victim of this scam,
please go to the
Texas Attorney General's Consumer Alerts web page.
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MORE LATIN LOTTO SCAMS!! |
Recently, in the East part of San Antonio, two Hispanic females
conned a 57-year-old Hispanic female out of approximately $15,000.00 in
jewelry in a Latin Lotto Scam.
One of the suspects approached the victim in the parking
lot of an HEB on S.WW White, claimed to have a $150,000 winning lotto
ticket, but said she could not cash it because she was from Costa Rica. Suspect
#2 arrived and convinced the victim that if they all chipped in $15,000 they
could split the winnings. The victim took both suspects to her house and gave
them the jewelry. The victim then drove the suspects to an office, where the
suspects disappeared (with the victim's jewelry).
One suspect is described as a Hispanic female, 40-60 years old, 5'5"-5'6",
130 lbs, wearing a dark-colored cap and blue blouse. The second suspect was
described as a Hispanic female, 33-36 years, 5'4", 140 lbs, wearing a white
knitted top with brown pants. Her hair was in a bun. Both suspects had
accents.
Anyone with information about this crime or the suspects, please contact
East Property Crimes at (210)207-8854.
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"PIGEON DROP SCAM" ALERT |
Please go to: "Pigeon Drop Scam" Alert (PDF format).
An ALERT from Newell, TX, Police Department about a group of travelling
scam artists who are doing the "Pigeon Drop" scam in parking lots.
See
PARKING LOT SCAM for info on previous similar
scams in San Antonio.
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ELGORDO : SPANISH LOTTO SCAM |
Letters are again being sent, by e-mail and snail mail, notifying San
Antonio residents that they have "won the ElGordo Spanish Lottery." The
notices provide an amount of winnings (usually US$ millions), and a
phone number to contact to make the arrangements to have the
winnings transferred to the US, to the "winners'" bank account.
This is a SCAM, similar to the Canadian Lotto Scam also listed
on this page. It is such a widespread scam that the actual
(legitimate) ElGordo Spanish Lottery has posted an ALERT on their
web page, titled :
"Advice About Scams".
Do not reply to this letter if you receive one. Replying will only
notify the scammers that your e-mail address is "good", and you will
most likely receive additional scam solicitations.
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IRS CONSUMER ALERT: ADVANCE CHILD TAX CREDIT SCAM |
The Internal Revenue Service issued a SCAM ALERT on June 18, 2003, warning
taxpayers about a new scam targeting potential recipients of the Advance
Child Tax Credit. The IRS has seen isolated instances of this new scheme.
HOW DOES IT WORK ? A taxpayer receives a telephone call from a
person who promises to speed up the payment of the Advance Child Tax Credit
checks. The catch is the taxpayer must agree to a $39.99 charge to a credit
card.
The IRS reminds taxpayers that no person or organization can "speed
up" the payment of tax benefits.
IN REALITY: Taxpayers do not have to take any action to get the new benefit,
which features an advance payment for up to $400 per qualifying child. The
Treasury Department and IRS will perform all the calculations and automatically
mail a notice and a check to each eligible taxpayer, beginning the week of
July 25, 2003.
SIMILAR SCAMS: Under the new scam, the IRS is seeing a continuation of a
trend that emerged earlier this year when the families of those serving in
the Armed Forces were targeted. In both of these schemes, scam artists use
current events to prey on unsuspecting victims. The scams also feature callers
seeking credit card information to get taxpayers to pay for special benefits.
If the taxpayer agrees to the charge and provides a credit card number or other
sensitive personal information, she could find a much larger charge to her
account. By the time the taxpayer realizes something is wrong, the scam
operator is long gone, possibly victimizing another taxpayer.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? If you encounter this latest tax scam or suspect tax
fraud or abuse in some other situation, report it to your nearest IRS
office. When in doubt, seek help from the IRS or a tax professional.
You can also call the IRS TAX FRAUD HOTLINE at 1-800-829-0433.
For additional information, please visit the
IRS WEBPAGE
|
|
OLD SCAM RETURNS:
BOGUS NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION SCAM |
Recently, there have been several reported cases on the Southside of
San Antonio involving an individual who goes door-to-door selling
bogus subscriptions to the Express-News. The individual approaches
the homeowner and offers them a newspaper subscription for the
incredibly low price of $20 for six months. After the money is paid,
the homeowner never receives a paper. In some instances, the
individual has offered to accept credit cards, in an attempt to get
the credit card number.
A suspect has been identified in this scam: a Hispanic male, 24 years old,
5'10", 135 lbs, sometimes using the false name "Oscar Ortiz."
If someone approaches you offering an unusually cheap newspaper subscription,
please contact the police, or verify the salesman's credentials with
the Express-News before paying the salesman any money or providing him
access to your credit card number.
|
|
SPECIAL ALERT:
CASHIER'S CHECK/INTERNET SALES SCAM PLUS RELATED INVESTMENT SCAMS !! |
Alerts have been issued by Frost National Bank, the FDIC,
the Comptroller of the Currency, and other agencies concerning
COUNTERFEIT CASHIER'S CHECKS
that are currently being used in various scams originating in
internet commerce or e-mail solicitations.
All the scams have in common the payment to the victim of a Cashier's
Check for an amount much greater than what the victim is due (for
the sale of an item, etc.). The "buyer" usually tells the victim/seller
that "someone owes him money", and the victim can take the
check in payment, deposit it, and refund the extra funds back to the "buyer"
(who is generally in Nigeria or another African country).
However, the Cashier's Check is later found to
be counterfeit, and the victim is out not only the balance, but
also the item sold (if it has been shipped).
One of the more popular Cashier's Checks used in this scam so far during 2003 is
a counterfeit Frost National Bank Cashier's Check. 98% have surfaced with
the name of
Joshua Acosta as the "remitter". (Acosta was a
victim of this scam chain.) More than 300 victims have been identified
from every state in the U.S. so far, with potential
losses amounting to over $3 million.
This scam of providing a large amount Cashier's Check and agreeing
to a refund of the balance is also used in variations of the very
popular "Nigerian Investment Scam", in the newer variation the
"Iraq Investment Scam" ("...desperate to get money out of Iraq..."),
as well as purchase offers from African and Middle Eastern countries
for items advertised for sale over the internet
(vehicles are very popular targets), for "signing bonus" fees paid to
victims who were offered non-existent jobs, plus a large variety of
similar scams.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM: Cashier's Checks from Frost Bank and other
banks are generally safe and secure payment methods. HOWEVER:
-
If you
are offered a "deal" that sounds too good to be true, and
- it involves
you agreeing to accept a Cashier's Check for more money than you are owed,
and
- you are asked to remit ANYTHING to the "buyer" (or to the foreign
investor),
- YOU SHOULD NOT BE FOOLED!! IT IS A SCAM.
For more information on this scam, please see on this page:
Nigerian Investment Scam
Nigerian Investment Scam AGAIN
An Earlier Cashier's Check Scam (10/2002)
Also see these pages:
OCC
Alert on Frost Cashier's Checks
Check Alerts from the FDIC
Vehicle Purchase
Scam Info
If you are the victim of this scam, please contact your local
law enforcement agency.
|
|
ALERT: DOG SCAM BECOMES MONEY SCAM !! |
We previously alerted viewers to the "Registered Pet Scam",
where a latin female would take money for a registered dog, then fail to deliver
the pet. Now it appears that the same latin female, Veronica Lozano Lopez
(DOB 01-29-1969, pictured right) has also targeted elderly San Antonio residents who have
expressed interest in dogs.
In one recent case she targeted an 83-year-old lady who placed an
ad in the paper concerning finding a lost dog. Lozano went to the lady's
house to claim the dog, then later returned to socialize with the lady. Lozano
arrived at the lady's house unexpectedly, spent the day talking with her, then
finally told the lady that she (Lozano) had inherited a large sum of money in what she
called a "Merrill Lynch account." Lozano told the lady she needed to transfer the
money to a third party bank account so she would not be penalized for early
withdrawal. Lozano even staged a telephone call to "Merrill Lynch", which
was really a call to Lozano's accomplice.
|
 |
Lozano finally convinced the lady to withdraw $3,000 from her own bank account and
give it to Lozano, to help her until she could cash out of her mutual funds.
The lady then realized she had been scammed, and called the police.
Victoria Lozano Lopez was arrested and charged with Theft $1,500-20,000,
and was then transferred to Karnes County, where she had 3 Forgery probation
violation warrants.
Case submitted by South Property Crimes, 207-7184.
|
|
SPECIAL ALERT : FLOOD SCAMS !! |
Be aware that the recent flood disaster in the San Antonio
area will become a magnet for various con-men and scam artists.
[We originally posted this SCAM ALERT after the 1998 flood; it is
still relevant after the 2002 flood.]
The two major scams to BE ON THE
LOOKOUT for include the following:
|
| HOME REPAIR SCAMS |
CHARITY SCAMS |
- Use only LOCAL home repair companies.
- DO NOT use out-of state repair people (unless friends or relatives).
- Ask repair people for REFERENCES. Check the references.
- Carefully control purchase of repair materials. Ask for receipts.
- Be wary if repair people ask for large payment in advance.
- Be Alert and report if a contractor states
he will assist you in obtaining a FEMA construction loan.
FEMA does not give loans. They give grants in varying amounts. The
SBA assists flood victims in obtaining
low interest loans.
|
- False "flood victim donations" scams may begin in this area.
- We encourage you to support actual flood victims, BUT
PLEASE donate only to reputable charities.
- If someone calls asking for donations, DO NOT give your CREDIT CARD
number over the phone!!
- When in doubt, ask if you can donate clothes, cleaning
supplies, etc. instead of cash.
|
FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU MAY CALL : |
To see if a repair person has a valid
Home Improvement Contractor License :
Call the
City of SA Building Inspections Office : (210)207-8235 |
To see if a repair person has had
complaints made about their work :
Call the
Better Business Bureau : (210)828-9441 |
To report fraud, waste or abuse
related to FEMA claims:
Call
FEMA (toll free) : (800)323-8603 |
| If you have information concerning a
scam that is going on now, please contact Captain Harry
Griffin, (210)207-7425, or by e-mail :
SCAM-NET |
AUDIO SPEAKERS SCAMS
This scam, which was recently reported in Leon Valley,
is a scam that is pulled throughout the US, using various
brand names of audio speakers.
In this scam, a motorist is flagged down (at a stopsign, parking
lot, etc.) by individuals in a van or car who say they have some
really expensive audio speakers they need to sell (cheaply),
because their "boss" (or their company) ordered too many.
After a great deal of bargaining and talking, the motorist
finally purchases the speakers for a price that he/she believes
is "cheap", only to find out later that the speakers are worthless.
For a lengthy discussion of this scam, go to the
CRIMES-OF-PERSUASION.COM web page, and enter "speakers" in
their SEARCH box.
|
REGISTERED PET SALE SCAMS
Two scams involving the sale of registered pets are currently
being practiced in the San Antonio area. Both start with advertisements
in the newspaper, and end up with the victim losing their money or
their pet.
PET SCAM #1: In this scam, a young latin female answers a
newspaper ad for a registered pet for sale. She goes to the residence of
the seller, and while observing the pets she asks to see a parent of
the pet that is for sale. While the owner/seller is fetching the
parent animal, the female scam artist leaves with the pet that was
for sale.
This thief is described as a petite latin female, 22 years old, 5'03",
100 lbs.
PET SCAM #2: In this second scam, a 30-year-old latin female is the seller.
She is running ads for registered dogs for sale, and taking deposits of up to
$300 a pet, but not producing the pet when it comes time to finish the
sale. The scam artist takes the deposit money from prospective the buyer
and promises a delivery date for the dog(s), but is never seen again.
This thief is described as a latin female, 30 years old, 5'07", 150,
with red hair.
The Texas Attorney General's Office reports about 40 complaints on
this case.
If you have any information on either of these scams or suspects, please
contact detectives at East Property Crimes, 207-8854. |
LATIN LOTTO SCAM ARREST !!
SUSPECT ARRESTED IN APRIL LATIN LOTTO SCAM:
On April 16, two persons approached an elderly San Antonio resident on
the south side of town and presented him with what was the usual "Latin
Lotto Scam": they said they had won the lottery, but could not collect
their winnings as they were not US citizens, but if the SA resident would
assist them (and put up some good faith money!!), he could share in their
lotto winnings.
After withdrawing $5,000 from his bank account and handing it to the
scammers, the victim realized his mistake, struggled with the pair to
reclaim his money, and called the police. South Patrol, working on the
victim's description, located and arrested one of the scammers, who was
driving a rental car with Florida plates.
The two suspects, (left) Clodoveo Martinez, LM, 08-27-55, of Miami Beach, FL,
who was arrested, and (right) Astrid Tovar, LF, 09-27-70, also of Miami Beach,
and the renter of the vehicle, are pictured below. Tovar is still at large.
|
 |
 |
|
If you have any additional information on these lotto
scam artists, or on the whereabouts of Astrid Tovar, please contact South
Property Crimes, Sgt. Conn, (210)207-7184. |
SCAM ALERT FROM POSTAL INSPECTOR !!
THE SAN ANTONIO POSTAL INSPECTOR HAS ISSUED THE
FOLLOWING ALERT:
"FRAUDULENT BONUS CHECKS FOR NON-EXISTENT JOBS"
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has learned that some
individuals and banks are being victimized by a scheme involving on-line
job applications.
SCAM DETAILS: The individuals have applied for and accepted jobs through
an on-line job search service advertising "signing bonuses" of
approximately $2,500 to new hires. Each prospective employee has received
a check ranging from $19,000 to $50,000 by mail from the prospective
employer, with instructions to deposit the check, preferably at an ATM. The
recipient is further instructed to keep $2,000 to $4,000, depending upon
the amount of the signing bonus, and return the balance of the money by
wire to a location in Europe.
THE CHECKS ARE FRAUDULENT; therefore, the depositor is ultimately responsible
for any amounts charged back to his or her account by the bank resulting
from the dishonor of the checks.
In some cases, banks have suffered losses when a customer has been unable
to cover the overdrafts resulting from the dishonor and return of the
fraudulent checks.
Checks recovered in the San Antonio area so far bear names of banks in
Florida; however, the routing numbers go to banks in Massachusetts, Connecticut,
and Ohio.
ANY INFORMATION you may have about these checks or this
scheme should be immediatly reported to the nearest office of the FBI. Check
your local phone book, or go to the
FBI web page for a list of local offices and numbers.
|
SPECIAL ALERT!!: LOTTERY SCAM
Early this month (January) a local elderly
resident received a letter in the mail from the
"Canadian National Lotteries (TransNational Trade
Consortium)" notifying her that she was one of
the winners in a lottery pool. She was then contacted
by phone by a person who instructed her to wire
$1,800.00 to a (named) person in Quebec, Canada.
Alert bank employees learned of this scam when the
elderly customer requested the $1,800 withdrawal, and
rightfully convinced her it was a scam.
A police report has been filed on this attempted crime.
LOTTO PLAYERS (and BANK EMPLOYEES) :
BEWARE!! This is a SCAM. Do NOT participate
or cooperate with these criminals. You do NOT need
to send money to claim legitimate lotto winnings!
|
ONCE AGAIN!!: NIGERIAN INVESTMENT SCAMS
"Nigerian Investment Scams", in various formats, are once
again being presented to San Antonio residents and businesses.
For one such scam that has been attempted frequently, please
see "Nigerian Investment Scam" below.
For the full text of a scam letter sent by the would-be cons
to a San Antonio Police Officer
on November 28, 2001, please click here:
SCAM LETTER.
BEWARE!! These are ALL SCAMS. Do NOT participate
or cooperate with these criminals. You will loose your money!
|
Senior Citizens Alert: House Cleaning Scam
A recent scam targeting Senior Citizens has surfaced on the
south side of San Antonio. In this scam the suspects identify
themselves as volunteers from a senior citizens group and offer
free house cleaning services, but actually burglarize the
residence instead of cleaning it.
The suspects approach a homeowner and tell
them that they are volunteers workers for "Senior Services of
America", or some other senior services group. They befriend the
homeowner and enter the house, explaining all the services
that they have to offer. While one suspect talks to the homeowner,
the other suspect walks through the house, stealing money,
checks, jewelry, and anything else that they can conceal.
The suspects are described as 2 white females and are both
50-55 years old. One suspect has blond hair and the other has
brown or black hair.
If you have any information on this scam please contact
Det. Delte Smith at the South Property Crimes Unit, 207-7184.
|
TIME-WARNER CABLE SCAM
Time-Warner Cable Co. has advised us that the suspect described
below has been identifying himself as a Time-Warner employee and
has been soliciting business on the south side of town. He
contacts citizens and offers to connect them to cable TV for
$20.00. He collects the money and then gives them an official
looking receipt. He claims he will return with the necessary
equipment to connect the cable, but instead takes the money and
never returns.
According to Time-Warner, this has recently
occurred at the Riverside Apts. and at the Indian Hills
Mobile Home Park.
SUSPECT:
"Jesse", Latin Male, 25-35 years old, 5'8",
slim build, no facial hair,
drives green Dodge Ram pickup truck.
If you have any information about this scam or the suspect,
please contact South Property Crimes, Sgt. James Conn,
207-7184. |
ALERT!! PARKING LOT CON ARTISTS!!
AFRICAN CHARITY SWITCH:
 |
 |
The two individuals pictured
here have already swindled two elderly San Antonio residents
out of a total of $14,000 in a "South African Charity
Switch." The suspects approach an elderly person and
ask for help in finding a motel, a church or other
location, so they can get the elderly person to
give them a ride. During the ride, the suspect(s)
tells the driver a story concerning collecting
money, and asks the elderly person to put up "good
faith money" to assist in the collection or
donation. The suspect then finds an excuse to leave the
car, with the money, and is not seen again.
WARNING: Beware if someone asks you to put up "good
faith money"!!! |
SOUTH AFRICAN CHARITY SWITCH :
Location of Scam:
San Antonio (Most recently, Alamo Heights)
Target of Scam: Anyone
Description of Scam:
The South African Charity Switch is an old scam that
recently appeared in Alamo Heights. In this version, the
actor, Jimmy Eugene Wilson (pictured at right), approaches a victim and
claims
he is a recent arrival from South Africa. He says he has
a large amount of money and needs help to get to a
location. During this conversation, another stranger
enters the scene and offers to assist the South African (Wilson).
Wilson shows them both a large sum of money and explains he
cannot take it back to S. Africa. He offers them both
a portion and then asks that they contribute the remainder
to charity. He asks that they first put up "good faith
money". The stranger (who is part of the scam) will encourage
the victim to go with him. The victim will put up the "good
faith money", and it is usually put into a bandana that is
then tied up. Sometime during the scheme the bandana bundle is
switched, and the victim later learns that he is left
with a bandana full of cut up newspaper. The stranger and
the South African will have created a ruse to go into a
nearby building or around a corner, and will have disappeared
with the victim's cash.
The actor in this scam at this time is Jimmy Wilson,
described as a black male, h: 6'02", w: 170lbs,
black hair, brown eyes, DOB: 09-10-50.
Message: If you hear the key words "good
faith money" be alert that these are common words used
by con artists. Never give money to someone you know
nothing about, no matter how innocent they may appear.
Con and bunco artists are very convincing and are
clever at countering your suspicions.
This scam was submitted by Alamo Heights PD 10/26/99
SHORT CHANGE ARTIST
|
This subject will approach employees in a Department store
with a small item (usually under $5.00) and ask to pay for it. The
suspect will produce a $100.00 bill for payment of the sale, but
as the employee finishes the sale and gives the suspect his
change back, he asks for the $100.00 bill back and offers to pay
with a smaller bill. The employee in most cases will give the
change back along with the $100.00 bill, without realizing
they have been taken. |
 |
RECENT HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAM:
In this scam, the suspect (pictured here) convinced an elderly
woman that she needed work done in her bathroom or the floor would
collapse. The suspect took $2,500.00 from the woman and did not
do any work. He sent two men to crawl under the house and make
some noise. The suspect returned several weeks later to pick up some
lumber and also told the woman not to call the police.
The suspect has been identified as Bobby Joe Fisher,
WM, DOB: 01-17-57. If you have any information concerning this
suspect, please contact Det. Robert Martinez, Property Crimes
Unit, West Substation, (210)207-8299, or any Property Crimes
Unit detectives at any substation. |
 |
BANKING SCAMS:
There are several BANKING SCAMS being pulled in
the San Antonio Area:
BANK EXAMINER SCAM: If someone tells you they are with
"law enforcement" and asks your assistance in finding "dishonest"
bank employees by withdrawing money from your account and
giving it to the "law enforcement" person, DO NOT DO IT!!
This is a scam that is currently being done on elderly bank
patrons, most recently by a man who calls himself "Captain
Wolf."
BE ALERT: Law enforcement will not ask the public
to put up their own money to aid an investigation.
LOTTERY SCAM: In this scam, a "lottery ticket winner" from
"another country" approaches an account holder to assist
him in
claiming the winnings by withdrawing money from the account
and giving it to the "lottery winner". The "winner" promises
to share the lottery winnings with the account holder, but
the "winner" actually takes the account holder's money
and disappears.
BE ALERT: U.S. citizenship is not required to claim a winning
lottery ticket. ALSO, the Texas Lottery Commission does
not require winners to produce any amount of cash in
order to receive or claim lottery winnings.
For more information on Banking Scams, please go to the
BATNET ALERTS page. |
IDENTITY THEFT SCAM:
TELEPHONE CUSTOMERS BE AWARE OF THIS CURRENT SCAM :
A person claiming to be representing MCI/WorldCom contacted
an MCI customer concerning changes in service, and asked
the customer for information such as social security number
and credit card numbers. The customer became suspicious
and called MCI and learned this was a scam.
BE ALERT!! This customer could have become a victim
of IDENTITY THEFT. Please notify your local police
department if you believe you have been a victim of
stolen identity. Also notify the San Antonio Retain Merchants'
Association so they may flag your name and card numbers with a
fraud alert.
DO NOT GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE
PHONE, UNLESS YOU INITIATE THE CALL AND KNOW WHO YOU ARE
DEALING WITH. MAKE A RECORD OF THE CALL, INCLUDING DATE,
TIME, AND THE NAME OF THE PERSON YOU SPOKE WITH.
ALSO: IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF
IDENTITY THEFT:
Contact Fraud Departments of the 3 major credit bureaus.
Request copies of your Credit Reports.
Contact fraud departments of your creditors.
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission:
(Toll Free: 1-877-ID-THEFT)
Contact the U.S. Postal Service if you believe your mail has been stolen.
Contact your bank. |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON IDENTIFY THEFT:
Federal Trade Commission
Identity Theft
Resource Center
|
DISCOUNT MERCHANDISE SCAM:
|
In this scam, a female approaches the victim and offers
computers and other popular items at lavish DISCOUNTS. She
takes the victim to various locations to see the items,
takes the victim's money without giving the victim the
goods, and when the victim protests, the con-artist female
offers the victim her
"valuable" purse, to show her sincerity. The
victim later learns the purse is not only empty, it is
a cheap knock-off and without value. |
FLOORING SCAM:
 |
This is another repair scam, this time committed by
an actor SCAM-NET featured in 1999. Mike Garay,
the suspect pictured here, was hired by a local
insurance agent to install a floor. The insurance
agent paid the suspect for the materials before
the work began. The suspect never returned to complete
the work.
A warrant has been issued for Mike Garay for Theft $500-1500.
WARNING: Most legitimate contractors have ongoing accounts with
their suppliers and do not need to be paid upfront. This
business man knew the suspect for several years. The suspect
has a previous conviction for a similar scam.
Submitted by Prue Property Crimes.
Previous case handled by Det. H. Sipple, West
Property Crimes, 207-7420. |
WRECKER SCAM:
ARRESTED !!
Raul Garal, shown here, was arrested by East Substation
officers on 03-20-01 and charged with Theft $50<$500.
BE ALERT: At some point he will be released, and
may attempt this scam again. |
 |
This scam has previously appeared in other parts
of San Antonio, but is occurring on the SOUTH part of
town now. A man approaches an elderly homeowner and
tells him (or her) that he has been involved in a
vehicle accident and is the relative of the homeowner's
neighbor. The suspect knows the homeowner's name and the
name of the neighbor. The suspect asks for money to
pay for the wrecker. The homeowner gives the suspect
whatever money he requested and the suspect leaves. Later,
the homeowner contacts the neighbor and learns the
neighbor does not know the suspect and has no knowledge of
the supposed accident. The homeowner has just been
scammed.
The most recent suspect in this scam is a Hispanic male,
in his 20s, medium build, 5'8"-6'0", 180-200, brown hair,
brown eyes. The suspect is possibly in the company
of a Latin female 40-45 years old. The suspect vehicle is
an older model Chevy truck, blue/white in color.
If you have any information on this scam please contact
South Substation Property Crimes Detective Francisco
Orta at 207-7334.
|
CAR AUCTION SCAM:
This is a recent scam in San Antonio. A local car
dealer advertises in the newspaper a "come along" vehicle.
When a prospective buyer appears, the dealer tells him
he no longer has that vehicle, but that he (the dealer)
attends car auctions and could easily obtain a similar
vehicle for the prospective buyer. Later, the dealer meets the
buyer at a major dealership, tells them he won the bid
for the car, and takes their money. However, he never
delivers the car. The prospective buyers have been
scammed.
If you have a any information on this scam, please
contact the Prue Property Crimes
Unit.
|
IMMIGRATION SCAM:
 |
The individual pictured here is on
parole for impersonating a police officer, and has approached
Hispanics with immigration problems
offering assistance for fees. The individual has victimized
several local persons. This suspect believed he had perfect
victims in the persons he scams, as they may be unwilling
to come forward and report the crime. He took their money
and never returned with the promised paperwork.
This individual, Martin Alaniz, is currently wanted on one misdemeanor
warrant (FTA Warrant).
|
HOME LOAN SCAM:
HOMEBUYERS AND HOMEOWNERS : Be aware of unscrupulous
predatory lenders who are using high-pressure abusive tactics
in convincing borrowers to borrow at high interest rates. These
lenders do not always quote the interest rate or the outrageous
fees. These loansharks set homeowners up for failure with these
high rates. When the borrower falls behind, the shark forecloses
and takes the home.
If you have been the victim of such a practice, please
contact the Texas Attorney General's Office at (210)225-4191,
or the Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio, at
(210)733-3247. |
LOTTO SCAM:
 |
 |
The individual pictured at left,
Luz Mery Londono, is wanted on felony warrants from San
Antonio, Houston and Los Angeles, CA. Londono, together with
her brother Henry Alvarez (pictured right), is wanted as
part of a Lotto Scam
that she and Alvarez worked together. Henry Alvarez
was recently arrested in Miami, FL, but Londono is still
at large.
The individuals working this scam convince their victim
that one of them has the winning Lotto ticket, but since he
(or she) is here illegally, he/she cannot cash it. One of
the pair plays the part of a stranger who befriends the victim
and pretends to assist the victim and the suspect in holding the winning
Lotto ticket. The suspects convince the victim to put up some
money to buy the "winning" ticket from the suspects, but detract
the victim with a faked illness or other "emergency" long
enough to disappear with both the ticket and the money.
These individuals are very convincing. However, do not
trust strangers with your money. Please contact the
police if you know of individuals working such a scam. |
ROBBERY + SCAM:
 |
The individual pictured at left,
Ambrose Chad Cooper, is wanted on a felony robbery warrant.
This subject and his crew offered to do some work for an
elderly Alamo Heights couple for a minor amount of pay.
However, upon completing the work, Cooper wanted $9,000
and then, through threats, made the wife to to the
bank with him to withdraw that amount.
Ambrose Chad Cooper is a white male, 5'11",
200 lbs., DOB 02-22-77, with a last-known address
in Bradenville, Pennsylvania. He was last
seen driving a white truck,
cab in front, moving van style.
If you have any information on this case, please contact
Det. Sgt. M.J. Phelan, Alamo Heights PD, (210)822-2164. |
NEW CREDIT CARD SCAM:
ATTENTION SAN ANTONIO BUSINESSES
AND RESIDENTS :
Recently in the San Antonio area, a number
of residents have received telephone calls with lucrative
offers to switch credit card companies. Once the caller
gains the information from the account holder to switch, he
makes a number of charges with that person's personal/credit
card information. This has caused large losses to businesses
and credit card companies.
WARNING : Do not give your personal account
information over the telephone unless you
know the caller. |
HAIL DAMAGE REPAIR SCAM:
The San Antonio area has recently experienced
hail damage. Unfortunately, unscrupulous bogus contractors
are aware of this situation and offer lucrative "deals"
to residents whose homes have been hail damaged. Upon
receiving repair money up-front, the "contractors" never
return to complete the repair jobs.
WARNING : Make sure you check to see if a contractor
has a DBA, have a verifiable address, and are listed with
the Better Business Bureau. DO NOT PAY UPFRONT!! A good
roofer with established credentials should have an
account with a supplier.
ELDER LOAN SCAM:
 |
 |
The suspects pictured above, Lucy Salinas (L) and Florencia
Marin (R), defrauded a wealthy elderly woman out of
$390,219. They told the lady that they would inherit a large
sum of money, and that if she loaned them money she would
get one-third of the inheritance.
WARNING: Always have an attorney draw up the paperwork for
any loan. If you know of an elderly person being similarly
bilked or financially exploited, please contact SAPD or call
Adult Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400.
Restraining Orders can be obtained
as well, possibly preventing the elderly victim from
further exploitation.
SAPD Financial Crimes received the above case and filed
Misapplication of Fiduciary Funds Over $200,000 against the
two defendants. Both Marin and Salinas are in jail awaiting
trial.
For more information on this case, please contact
SAPD Financial Crimes (210-207-4481).
|
ACTIVE ONCE AGAIN: UTILITY IMPOSTER SCAM IS BACK!
Individuals are once again going to the homes of elderly San Antonio
residents, telling the resident they are CPS workers or SAWS workers, and
then gaining entry to the house. Their purpose is to either steal the resident's
valuables while the resident is distracted and/or demand money
to perform unnecessary repairs.
Most recently (October 2002), two individuals posing as CPS workers gained
entry to a house on Mason Street, and tried to get the elderly homeowner to
pay for having a faucet fixed. The pair left when the homeowner told them
she did not have any money. Nothing was stolen. Police later located and identified the
individuals, two white males who were driving a white 2002 GMC Sierra
pickup truck with Missouri paper license plates.
BE ALERT! These, or other similar individuals may try to gain access to
another house and be successful at theft and/or scamming the homeowner.
SEE a similar case below:
![[miller photo]](images/Miller1.gif)
![[mitchell photo]](images/Mitchell3.gif)
![[miller photo]](images/Miller2.gif)
Type of Scam:
Utility Imposter Scam
Location of Scam:
San Antonio
Target of Scam: Elderly Persons and Homeowners.
Description of Scam: The three individuals pictured
here, Michael Butch Miller, Susie Mitchell, and George Miller,
were involved in a recent utility imposter scam. In scams
like this, one member will keep the homeowner preoccupied
while others in the group determine where valuables are kept
and quickly make off with them. The above actors were
arrested and booked for impersonating a public servant.
MESSAGE: CPS (City Public Service) and SAWS (San
Antonio Water System) employees all carry identification.
These ID's are PHOTO identifications, not just cards or
"badges". CPS and SAWS employees will gladly show their
photo ID's to you if requested. ALWAYS ask for ID from
any stranger you allow into your house.
This case is being handled by Det. J. Bowers of the SAPD
East Service Area Property Crimes Section.
ELDERLY SCAM
![[J.Battle photo]](images/BattleJo.gif)
![[A.Battle photo]](images/BattleA.gif)
Location of Scam:
San Antonio
Target of Scam: Elderly Persons.
Description of Scam: The two individuals pictured here, Jose
Battle and Arcelia Battle, offer to do odd jobs for
elderly persons. Once they gain access to the elderly
resident's house or apartment, the Battles steal checks
and use them to commit forgeries.
MESSAGE: Be watchful! Do not allow workers
to have free run of the house. Never let workers
know where you keep your checks.
If you have more information concerning these
individuals, please contact Det. Rudy Lurati, 207-7451.
![[Gonzales photo]](images/GonzalesGA.gif)
TRUSTEE SCAM
Location of Scam:
San Antonio
Target of Scam:Persons for whom Gonzales could act as a Trustee.
Description of Scam: George A. Gonzales, pictured here,
was recently indited by a Grand Jury for defrauding
two of his clients out of $1.3 million. A warrant has been
issued for his arrest. Gonzales is a white male, 5'10",
145 lbs, black hair, brown eyes, DOB 07-08-49.
If you have any information on this case please contact
Det. E. Hunter, 207-4481.
SPECIAL BUSINESS SCAM ALERT : NIGERIAN INVESTMENT SCAM
Location of Scam:
San Antonio
Target of Scam:Local Businesses
Description of Scam:
The "Nigerian Investment Scam" has appeared again in San Antonio,
but this time with a somewhat different twist. In this version,
the "Request for urgent business relationship, Remittance
of USD 10,000,000.00 into your bank account" is from Amsterdam, Holland,
sent on the letterhead of the PETROLEUM TRUST FUND,
EUROPE-OFFSHORE LIAISON OFFICE in Amsterdam.
The letter
writer, one Ahmed Umar Bisala, identifies himself as a
senior accountant with the Nigerian Petroleum Trust Fund,
and says he "was mandated to seek and arrange with a
trusted foreign national who can assist in the transfer
of the above mentioned amount out of Nigeria."
WARNING: Businesses should be aware of such requests. YOU WILL RISK
MAKING YOUR BANK ACCOUNT ACCESSIBLE TO FOREIGN CONCERNS!
Do not play this game!
Return to
TOP
SPECIAL
SCAM ALERTS
NEW :
TOLL FRAUD SCAM
In this scam an individual calls the
victim and identifies himself as an AT&T (or other phone
company) Service Technician who is conducting a test on
the telephone lines. (These calls have been made to
both businesses/government offices and residences.) The
"Technician" states that to complete the test on the lines
you should press a series of numbers on the phone key pad,
and then hang up. According to the phone company, by
pressing those numbers you give the requesting individual full
access to your telephone line, which allows them to
place long distance calls billed to your system. This
scam has been originating from many local jails and prisons.
NEW :
UPDATE ON AREA CODE 809 SCAM:
Recently, Area Code 809 has been divided into additional
area codes, all outside the US and all carrying additional
long distance charges. Areas codes include 869 and 268, among many others.
See
AT&T's Consumer Tips web page on this SCAM, as well as the
SCAMBUSTERS discussion of the scam.
In this scam someone sends the target an
emergency message or page with the call-back number in
the 809 area code. The message (which is false) may
concern a sick or
injured relative, a family emergency, a prize won, or any
enticement to call that 809 number. What the target of the
scam does not know is that the 809 area code is the same
as a 900 area code number (the caller will be charged a
large per/minute fee), but 809 is based in an area outside
of US legal jurisdiction.
MESSAGE: Do not return unsolicited calls to an 809 area
code number. You will not receive any benefit yourself
from returning these calls. (The only ones to benefit are
the foreign -- area code 809 -- phone companies.)
UTILITY WORKERS SCAM:
This scam happens over and
over, with different variations and different con artists.
It has recently popped up again in San Antonio.
Men posing as employees of a public utility (most
recently in San Antonio as employees of SAWS, or San Antonio
Water System) gain entrance to an elderly person's house to
check the water pipes, but while in the house they
distract the resident and steal money, jewelry, or other
valuables. (From: SAPD)
MESSAGE: Never let anyone into your house unless they
provide full and proper identification. All public utility
employees carry identification and wear uniforms. Call the
utility or agency office (YOU look up the number; don't use
a number the employee provides) if you are
suspicious.
ALSO BE ON THE
LOOKOUT FOR THESE SCAMS:
TITLE 1 FHA HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAM: Residents of
poorer sections in San Antonio are offered Title 1
FHA loan money for
home improvements, but later find large liens on their
homes and may face foreclosure. (From: SAPD)
COUPON SCAM: In Tucson, Arizona and recently in San
Antonio a man has been going door to door selling
Goodyear Tire Stores coupons "worth" $500 for $54.95. In reality,
the coupons are bogus; Goodyear has no such coupons.
The con artist is described as a clean-cut white male,
sometimes wearing a Goodyear hat.(From: SAPD)
Return to:
TOP
SCAM PREVENTION INFORMATION
This information has been provided through the National
Association of Bunco Investigators.
| EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF COMMON SCAMS: |
| PIGEON DROP: |
When someone tells you he or she has just
found some money and wants to share it with you. |
| BANK EXAMINER SCHEME: |
A phone call from a "Bank Officer"
checking on a dishonest employee and wanting your help. |
| IMPERSONATOR SCAMS: |
"Phony" gas company inspector, phony police, etc. "flashes"
identification and wants to come into your home. (Especially if they
ask where you hide your valuables.) |
| JAMAICAN SWITCH: |
Foreign person who "flashes" a lot of money and is
giving you some "for just helping." |
| HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS: |
Person appears at your door, offering to spray your
driveway or roof, fertilize the lawn, trim your trees,
or some other home improvement. The price they quote will
seem cheap, and they promise to do the work right away. |
| MAIL FRAUDS: |
Fake contract arrives in your mail, usually begins with
the news that you have won something. |
| WORK AT HOME SCAMS: |
Newspaper or other ads claiming that you can earn money
at home. Just send them money. |
| BAIT AND SWITCH SCAMS: |
You cannot find the advertised bargains and the
salesperson directs you to a higher priced item. |
| HEALTH QUACKERY: |
Product or service offered as a secret remedy. Sponsor
claims to be battling the medical profession, which won't
recognize some marvelous discovery. The remedy is sold door-
to-door, or in direct mail solicitations offering free
medical diagnosis, etc. The promoter tells you of miracle
cures. |
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