[Tang-residents] Fwd: Crime Alert - Con Games

[Michael Collins]

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>Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 15:40:39 -0400
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>From: Carl Seagren <cseagren at MIT.EDU>
>Subject: Fwd: Crime Alert - Con Games
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>>Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 14:48:13 -0400
>>From: Cheryl Vossmer <crimbite at MIT.EDU>
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>>To: cp-bulletin at mit.edu, tutors at mit.edu, housemasters at mit.edu,
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>>Subject: Crime Alert - Con Games
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>>CRIME ALERT
>>Issued: September 27, 2004
>>
>>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.
>>
>>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.
>>
>>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.
>>         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.
>>
>>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.
>>      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.
>>
>>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.
>

Michael Collins
Manager
Tang Residence Hall
Westgate Apartments
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Housing Department
W84-104  617-253-5146
collinsm at mit.edu
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