Crime Prevention - Con Games - THE JAMAICAN SWITCH SCHEME
THE JAMAICAN SWITCH SCHEME
There are many variations of this scheme, referred to by the police department as the "Jamaican Switch Scheme." Details vary, but the common denominator is a con artist, who pretends to be a foreigner with a lot of money.
He approaches you at the bank for help in finding an address, and gives you the impression he's illiterate and naïve. His accomplice joins in. Posing as a helpful passerby, he tells the foreigner that the large amount of cash he carries in his wallet should be deposited into a bank account. The foreigner says he's distrustful of American financial institutions, and asks you to withdraw money to prove the bank will let you do so.
You withdraw money, and he is persuaded. He asks you to hold his money for him while he and the other con artist try to find the address. He asks you to put your money in with his in a handkerchief, claiming that in his country, people do that as a sign of trust. As you search for a pocket large enough to put the sack of combined money, he says you must put it by your heart, and demonstrates how – at which point he switches the bag of money with a look-alike bag. As the two con artists drive off, supposedly to find the phony address, you suddenly realize you're holding a bag of worthless paper.
TIP: Don't withdraw money at the suggestion of a stranger. Be suspicious of anyone who asks you to prove you're able to withdraw money from your account.
