Elderly Woman Loses Life Savings in Cruel 'Good Samaritan' Scam

Scammers are becoming increasingly bold and creative, targeting vulnerable individuals with schemes that appear too good to be true. In Prince George's County, Maryland, four suspects allegedly took advantage of an elderly woman in a heartless "pigeon drop" scam, tricking her out of nearly $40,000. Their elaborate con, which preyed on emotions and trust, came to a halt when police arrested the suspects just moments before they could deceive another victim.

What Is a Pigeon Drop Scam?

A "pigeon drop" scam is a well-known con that preys on victims' trust and emotions. It typically begins with one or more scammers pretending to find a large sum of money, such as in a bag or envelope, and asking a bystander (the victim) if the money belongs to them. Once the victim denies ownership, the scammers convince them that the money should either be donated to charity or divided among those who "found" it. However, they demand the victim provide a large sum of cash as "collateral" to ensure their trustworthiness. After receiving the cash, the scammers disappear, leaving the victim empty-handed.

How the Scam Unfolded

According to the Prince George's County Police Department, the incident began on Oct. 21, 2024, when the victim was approached outside a business on Marlboro Pike in District Heights by two suspects, James Davis, 77, and Mary Daniel, 59. They showed her a bag they claimed was filled with cash and asked if it belonged to her. When she said no, the scammers suggested donating the money to charity instead of reporting it to the police.

To make the scheme more convincing, the suspects presented the victim with a note allegedly found in the bag. Police said the note discouraged donating the money to minorities, a tactic likely designed to manipulate the victim's emotions and biases.

The scammers then concocted a story, telling the victim that they needed to exchange the cash for bills with different serial numbers to prevent the money from being traced. Claiming they didn't have a car, the scammers persuaded the victim to drive them to several banks, including PNC Bank^® branches in Oxon Hill and District Heights. Over the course of two days, the woman withdrew nearly $40,000 from her accounts and handed it over to the scammers, believing she was helping with the "charity donation." Meanwhile, other suspects, Connie Williams, 64, and Kenneth Gooden, 36, coordinated the logistics behind the scenes.

The victim became suspicious when the suspects vanished with her money. On Oct. 22, 2024, she reported the scam to police, who immediately began an investigation.

Police Catch the Suspects in the Act

Using cell phone tracking, detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit located the suspects two days later at a shopping center on Woodyard Road in Clinton, Maryland. The suspects were seen approaching possibly their next victim in a parking lot, according to The BayNet.

Officers arrested all four suspects before they could execute another scam. During the arrests, police discovered fake currency, bank bags, and an envelope filled with $1 bills sandwiched between $100 bills to make it appear like a large sum of money. Additional evidence recovered from their vehicle corroborated the victim's account.

A Pattern of Crime

The investigation revealed that all four suspects had extensive criminal records spanning multiple states. James Davis has faced charges in Michigan, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., for crimes such as theft by deception and fraud. Mary Daniel has been involved in similar schemes in Georgia, California, and Texas, with charges including grand theft and burglary. Connie Williams has a history of conspiracy and theft charges in Virginia, Illinois, and California, while Kenneth Gooden has active warrants in Alabama and Ohio for weapons and narcotics offenses.

Warning to the Public

Prince George's County Police are urging residents to exercise caution when approached with unsolicited financial offers, especially those involving "found" money, as reported by The BayNet. They emphasized the importance of never sharing personal financial information with strangers and reporting suspicious activity immediately.

The four suspects now face multiple felony charges, including theft, conspiracy, and fraud. While police continue investigating to identify other potential victims, the arrests mark a significant step toward stopping the group's criminal activities. Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement.

References: Four Suspects Arrested For 'Pigeon Drop' Scam; Additional Victims Possible | Caught In The Crosshairs: 'Pigeon Drop' Predators Lure Elderly Victim Into Brazen $40,000 Scam