Impostor Scams Rise to the Top

The Pigeon Drop Leaves Victims in Stinky Situations

By:  Dorothy Riggs, CFE

Last week’s Fraud Sense article was about elder exploitation.  This week I’ll be discussing the Pigeon Drop, where perpetrators largely, but not exclusively, target senior citizens. Another group often targeted by Pigeon Drop con artists is tourists.  Basically, anyone who is assumed to have quick accessibility to cash is a suitable mark. Crooks zone in on older people because they often have their life savings socked away somewhere close by.  Tourists are assumed to also have easy access funds at their fingertips. After all, who travels to world renowned vacation destinations with empty coffers?

 How does the Pigeon Drop Scam Work?

You may think no one is gullible enough to fall for that old trick.  Unfortunately, many people are victimized each year.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Pigeon Drop scam here’s how it usually works.  On occasion there may be slight variations, but basically con artists hang out at grocery stores, tourist attractions or parking lots where they select and approach their victim with a found envelope or wallet supposedly filled with cash.  They ask the unsuspecting victim if he or she dropped the envelope or wallet.  When the victim denies dropping the item the fraudster skillfully draws the individual further into conversation eventually offering to share the found proceeds if the victim will put in a certain amount of his or her own money in good faith.  Often a third party is involved.  This person is in cahoots with the con artist and poses as a lawyer or some other person who may be considered trustworthy to hold on to the good faith money until the discovered loot can safely be divvied and distributed.  After the con artist’s fast-talking and slight-of- hand the victim is left with the financial loss of his or her good will money.

Fake Movie Production Money used to Con an Elderly Victim

A variation of the Pigeon Drop scam was reported to me in 2015 by a 77 year old female victim.  The turn of events were described as follows:  A middle-aged female approached her inside the grocery store and handed her an envelope while asking if she had dropped it. Supposedly, it was on the floor next to the elder woman’s shopping cart.  The senior woman took the envelope.  After examining its outer appearance she stated that it didn’t belong to her.  The middle-aged woman encouraged the elderly woman to open the envelope to see what was inside.  There seemed to be cash inside totaling a few thousands.  The elderly woman quickly attempted to finish her shopping as the other woman walked along with her offering to split the money.  The scammer pressured the victim to act swiftly because she was in a big hurry and would soon have to leave.  The elderly woman was convinced to withdraw $2000 from her bank account in exchange for the envelope and its contents, which appeared to be much more than $2000.  Both women drove their individual cars to the victim’s bank.  When they arrived at the bank parking lot, the con artist got into the victim’s car and waited as she went inside to make the withdrawal.  Upon the victim’s return to her car the fraudster gave her the envelope.  The elderly woman then took the envelope inside the bank and attempted to deposit the money into her account only to be told that it was $5000 worth of fake movie production money.  By this time the con artist was long gone with the victim’s $2000.  What a stinky situation.  The victim, who lived on a modest fixed income, had just lost $2000 in the blink of an eye. The understandably shaken and confused elderly woman couldn’t provide the make and model of the suspect’s car or any other specific data about her.  The only viable description was obtained from surveillance inside the grocery store.

Science and Psychology Play a Role in Victims’ Gullibility

According to a National Geographic  video, there are scientific or psychological reasons for the seeming gullibility of those victimized by the Pigeon Drop scheme.  During the orchestration of the scam the victim’s brain is overwhelmed from varied angles.

• First, the promise of financial profit causes the anticipatory reward and pleasure chemical, dopamine, to be released to the brain. Dopamine helps regulate movement and emotional responses, and enables us not only to see rewards, but to take action to move toward them.
• Next, the probability of creating a new social bond with the con artist releases oxytocin to the brain, which feels good and motivates us to trust. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone and acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It plays a huge role in pair bonding.

Tips to Help Avoid the Pigeon Drop’s Stinky Mess

• Slow down and think things through.  Ask yourself, does this make sense? What would motivate a stranger to share his or her found profit with you?
• Offer to contact law enforcement.  If the money was dropped or lost it has a legitimate owner and law enforcement will be able to investigate to see if the rightful owner can be determined and located.
• Again, slow down. When someone presents you with an offer where you feel hurried or pressured to make a decision or to take action…be suspicious.  Something is likely awry.
• Be aware of your surroundings.  Consciously take note of details that may be important.  For instance the make, model, color, license plate and etc. of a suspicious car.
• Be leary of fast talkers with fast physical movements.