ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Public Information Office 2003 Mill Road Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (703) 838-4636
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 4, 2001
ALEXANDRIA POLICE WARN: BEWARE OF SCAM ARTISTS Two People Tricked into Giving Money to Suspects
Twice in the past two weeks, citizens have been victimized by scam artists in Alexandria. In the recent scams, the suspects play upon people who are elderly or immigrants. In both cases, the victims were approached along the Duke Street corridor in the West End.
The suspects approach the victim and explain that they have “found” a large sum of cash. They want to keep the money but offer a plausible explanation as to why they can’t. They ask the victim to help them split the money but say that the victim must put up his own money as a sign of good faith. The victim then obtains a large amount of cash from his bank and gives it to the suspects. The suspects never return with the “found” money or the victim’s money.
The suspects, both black males, vary in height and weight descriptions, and were nicely attired. In these recent cases the suspects spoke with Jamaican accents. However, police caution that the accent may be fake. Rather than focusing on physical descriptions, citizens are urged to be on alert for anyone asking for money up front. Citizens are reminded that if an opportunity to make easy money sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Some victims are embarrassed and do not report the crimes to police or to their family members. Police officials emphasize that scam artists are usually decently dressed and appear sincere so that a victim’s trust will be easily gained.
Alexandria police also want to make people aware of home improvement scams which tend to occur during the spring and summer months. Elderly homeowners are most often targeted by traveling handymen who offer to perform unnecessary services, such as driveway paving or gutter repair, in exchange for money. In some cases, the handyman requests money for supplies up front and then never returns to make the repairs. In other cases, a set price is agreed to by the handyman and homeowner, but when the job is done, the victim is presented with a bill much higher than anticipated. Intimidated by the handyman, the victim usually pays the inflated bill.
Police urge homeowners to seek out approved contractors on their own and not to be coerced by handymen who approach them. Anyone who believes they have been victimized by any scam artist in Alexandria should call Alexandria Police at (703) 838-4444.