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<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>X-Sieve: CMU Sieve 2.2<br>
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Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 15:40:39 -0400<br>
To: hmgr@mit.edu, housing-unit12@mit.edu<br>
From: Carl Seagren <cseagren@MIT.EDU><br>
Subject: Fwd: Crime Alert - Con Games<br>
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<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>X-Sieve: CMU Sieve 2.2<br>
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 14:48:13 -0400<br>
From: Cheryl Vossmer <crimbite@MIT.EDU><br>
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To: cp-bulletin@mit.edu, tutors@mit.edu, housemasters@mit.edu,<br>
fsilg-ra@mit.edu<br>
Subject: Crime Alert - Con Games<br>
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CRIME ALERT<br>
Issued: September 27, 2004<br><br>
Please be advised that on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 an MIT student
was the victim of a con or scam. In this incident the "con
artist" told a story of how his vehicle was towed and he needed cash
to retrieve his vehicle and pay the outstanding parking violations. The
suspect told the victim he would give him a check for $700 if the victim
would give him $500 cash. The victim withdrew the monies from and ATM
account to pay the suspect.<br><br>
In this case the victim describes the suspect as follows: male, black
approx. 5'11", approx. 30 years old, medium build, short black hair,
and tan pants.<br><br>
There several other common scams used by area con artist that the MIT
Police Crime Prevention unit would like to make you aware of. The Big
Carrot: Elaborate scam where the con man/woman claims to have a relative
who works at a retail store and can offer the victim a laptop computer or
other expensive item at a great price.<br>
The victim usually goes to
meet the con outside a retail store and hands over thousands of dollars
in cash in exchange for a phony receipt. The con man enters the store
never to be seen again.<br><br>
Another scam is called the Pigeon Drop: In this scam a pair of
swift-talking con men and/or woman pretend to have found a wallet or
briefcase with a large amount of cash in it. They stop a passerby and
claim ignorance about what to do with the money. They offer to share it
with the passerby/victim.<br>
What happens next is usually confusing, but the
con artist manage to get the victim to give them "good faith"
cash; by removing several thousands dollars from your bank account. The
con-man will then1 give you a worthless scrap of paper and tell you to
meet them later to divide the monies. These schemes tend to be very
convoluted and defy easy explanation.<br><br>
The MIT Police Crime Prevention Unit recommends the following Crime
Prevention Tip. Suggest that the person go to the police to turn in the
found cash or retrieve their car, their puppy, sick child or any other
scams. Immediately notify the Police at MIT by calling 617-253-1212
or 100 from any campus telephone.</blockquote><br>
</blockquote>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<font color="#000080">Michael Collins<br>
Manager <br>
Tang Residence Hall<br>
Westgate Apartments<br>
Massachusetts Institute of Technology<br>
Housing Department<br>
W84-104 617-253-5146 <br>
collinsm@mit.edu<br>
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