Latin Charity Scheme
"The Latin charity switch ", also known as "The Mexican charity switch ", is a swindle similar in scheme to the pigeon drop and has been designed to victimize our Hispanic citizens. The victims are always Hispanic, and can be both men or women of any age (most victims are older citizens). The suspects are always Hispanics, and most of the victims will describe at least one or more of the suspects as being from a south American country. The victim is convinced of this because the suspects (who always speak Spanish) use a dialect of Spanish that is characteristic of the south American region, and differs from the Mexican—American Spanish. The suspects will number two or more and can be of either gender. Again, there are several variations to this scheme but the following is basically how the scheme is played currently in the Latin communities of southern California.
A suspect will approach a victim and ask about an address or person. The suspect explains that he (or she) has just arrived in America and is in a great hurry. It seems that his father (or other relative) is back in the suspects homeland on his deathbed. He will soon die, and he has sent the suspect on a very important mission that must be accomplished before the father's death. The suspect explains that his father is a wealthy man, partly because of a crime he committed many years ago when he was in America. He now realizes that he must atone for that sin, and believes that if he returned the stolen money to America, he would be able to enter heaven in good standing. The suspect will usually show the victim what appears to be a large sum of money. About this time, the first suspect will covertly signal a second suspect who is ready to enter the scheme.
The second suspect who is playing the part of a local businessman, listens to the first suspect's story. Suspect two just happens to know of the person who suspect one is looking for, but doesn't exactly know how to find him. Suspect one explains his urgency once again, and shows a list of several charities that his father has designated as recipients of his money.
The suspect, who is also feeling sick, tells the victim that he does not have time to continue his search. It is suggested that the victim handle the distribution of funds for the suspect. All agree it is a good idea, and the suspect offers the victim a great deal of money for his help. The suspect explains that he is confident that the victim is trustworthy, but before parting with his father's money, he would like to see the victim prove he has wealth of his own so he will be assured that his money will not be stolen. The victim is convinced to withdraw money from his bank, or put up jewelry, to show his good faith. As the scheme is proceeding, suspect one is becoming more ill. The victim gets his money and shows it to the suspect. Most often, the second suspect has also shown suspect one his money, and has therefore demonstrated he is trustworthy.
Suddenly, the first suspect has become so ill he can hardly function. He asks the second suspect to go to a nearby pharmacy for a special drug to cure his ills. The accomplice leaves for the drug store, but prior to leaving, he leaves his money with suspect one and the victim to show his trust of them. Suspect two returns without the medicine, explaining some type of mishap that prevented him from obtaining it. The first suspect then asks the victim if he will go to the pharmacy for him. The victim agrees, but before he leaves, the suspects insist he leave his money with them as an act of trust just as the second suspect had done. The victim leaves and soon learns that the pharmacy does not exist. Upon his return to his car, the suspects are gone and so is his money.
Some suspects will wait until the victim has come forth with their valuables, then will make a switch of the property. A common method is to have the victim place the valuables into a package along with the suspect's money. The suspect will request that the victim accompany them to a church to pray over the money on behalf of the dying father. While the victim is praying, the suspects will make a switch. When the opportunity presents itself, the suspects will separate themselves from the victim.
A suspect will approach a victim and ask about an address or person. The suspect explains that he (or she) has just arrived in America and is in a great hurry. It seems that his father (or other relative) is back in the suspects homeland on his deathbed. He will soon die, and he has sent the suspect on a very important mission that must be accomplished before the father's death. The suspect explains that his father is a wealthy man, partly because of a crime he committed many years ago when he was in America. He now realizes that he must atone for that sin, and believes that if he returned the stolen money to America, he would be able to enter heaven in good standing. The suspect will usually show the victim what appears to be a large sum of money. About this time, the first suspect will covertly signal a second suspect who is ready to enter the scheme.
The second suspect who is playing the part of a local businessman, listens to the first suspect's story. Suspect two just happens to know of the person who suspect one is looking for, but doesn't exactly know how to find him. Suspect one explains his urgency once again, and shows a list of several charities that his father has designated as recipients of his money.
The suspect, who is also feeling sick, tells the victim that he does not have time to continue his search. It is suggested that the victim handle the distribution of funds for the suspect. All agree it is a good idea, and the suspect offers the victim a great deal of money for his help. The suspect explains that he is confident that the victim is trustworthy, but before parting with his father's money, he would like to see the victim prove he has wealth of his own so he will be assured that his money will not be stolen. The victim is convinced to withdraw money from his bank, or put up jewelry, to show his good faith. As the scheme is proceeding, suspect one is becoming more ill. The victim gets his money and shows it to the suspect. Most often, the second suspect has also shown suspect one his money, and has therefore demonstrated he is trustworthy.
Suddenly, the first suspect has become so ill he can hardly function. He asks the second suspect to go to a nearby pharmacy for a special drug to cure his ills. The accomplice leaves for the drug store, but prior to leaving, he leaves his money with suspect one and the victim to show his trust of them. Suspect two returns without the medicine, explaining some type of mishap that prevented him from obtaining it. The first suspect then asks the victim if he will go to the pharmacy for him. The victim agrees, but before he leaves, the suspects insist he leave his money with them as an act of trust just as the second suspect had done. The victim leaves and soon learns that the pharmacy does not exist. Upon his return to his car, the suspects are gone and so is his money.
Some suspects will wait until the victim has come forth with their valuables, then will make a switch of the property. A common method is to have the victim place the valuables into a package along with the suspect's money. The suspect will request that the victim accompany them to a church to pray over the money on behalf of the dying father. While the victim is praying, the suspects will make a switch. When the opportunity presents itself, the suspects will separate themselves from the victim.