Greg's Corner

Costly Lessons from a Pigeon Drop Scam

By Greg Collier

In District Heights, Maryland, a recent case has highlighted the dangers of ‘pigeon drop’ scams, a type of fraud where unsuspecting victims are convinced to hand over money with promises of an even larger reward. This classic confidence scheme has left one elderly woman nearly $40,000 poorer, serving as a reminder of how easily trust can be exploited by scammers.

The incident in Prince George’s County began when the victim was approached by two individuals outside of a business. They lured her in by claiming they had found a bag of money and wondered if it belonged to her. When she confirmed it wasn’t hers, they proposed an unusual solution. Rather than taking the money to the police, they suggested that she could donate it to charity. Convincing her of this fabricated opportunity, they managed to pressure her into withdrawing thousands from her bank account over a period of two days.

In a pigeon drop scam, scammers claim they can’t donate the money themselves to add an air of plausibility and urgency to their scheme, which helps manipulate the victim into action. They often tell the victim they’re unable to make the donation because of practical or logistical reasons, like being from out of town, lacking a bank account, or needing to leave quickly. By presenting these reasons, the scammers deflect suspicion and make the target feel they’re the only one who can ‘do the right thing’, pushing them further into the scam’s fabricated narrative. To make matters worse, the supposed ‘found money’ is counterfeit.

As luck would have it, the scheme didn’t continue unchecked. The Financial Crimes Unit of the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) launched an investigation, using various techniques to track down the suspects. Within days, they located the group at a shopping center, catching them just as they were attempting to approach yet another potential victim. This quick intervention led to their arrest, preventing further harm.

Despite these arrests, authorities remain concerned that more people may have fallen prey to similar scams but haven’t come forward. The nature of a pigeon drop scheme, which often plays on individuals’ generosity or sense of duty, makes it particularly insidious; victims may feel embarrassed, reluctant, or even uncertain about reporting their experience. Yet law enforcement emphasizes that there’s no need for shame in being targeted by such a well-rehearsed ploy.

The PGPD urges the community to remain cautious and mindful, as these types of scams can happen to anyone. They recommend avoiding giving money or sharing financial information with strangers, especially when promises or situations appear unusually generous or urgent. Residents are reminded that legitimate charities never operate through unsolicited street interactions or unverified contacts.

Ultimately, the case in District Heights serves as a stark reminder, in our interactions with strangers, especially those involving money, it pays to be wary. Skepticism isn’t cynicism, it’s protection. And while charity is noble, genuine donations should always be routed through trustworthy, verified channels to prevent these exploitative schemes from succeeding.