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Nov 6, 2008 11:30 pm US/Eastern
Scammer Poses As Security In Pembroke Pines
PEMBROKE PINES (CBS4) ―
A senior citizen's encounter with a scam artist began at an intersection, as she was caught in a small traffic jam, and she had a brief conversation with the driver behind her.
Little did she know that man would follow her home and rip her off in Pembroke Pines.
For the first time in nearly 60 years, the woman's hands were bare. Her wedding ring, engagement ring, watch and gold bracelet are all gone. She was too scared to show her face during the interview with
CBS4 News.
"Don't trust anybody. Don't trust anybody. Don't let anybody in your home," she told
CBS4's Carey Codd. The 80-year-old victim is too frightened to share her identity, but she did want to share her story.
A man followed her home and told her the water in the community was contaminated. He told her he was with the "security team".
"He had the orange vest, you know. He looked authentic," she said.
The man told her he wanted to see the water. He even carried a spray can, telling the woman it was acid to test the water. She didn't know it was really part of his ruse. It was actually foam spray. It seems part of his plan was to accidentally spray some on her arm and tell her to take off her jewelry.
"[He said] take the rings off, cuz they're gonna melt in the acid. So I took them off and I put them in a dishtowel."
She would not see them again. When she went to the bathroom to wash up the thief left.
Nick Jammel is a neighbor and friend.
"It's devastating to think that somebody would take advantage of a vulnerable elderly citizen like that," said Jammel. "And to con her so easy."
It was so easy, the woman and her family are worried this con man could strike again.
"I thank God he didn't do anything physical to me. Jewelry even though it's got beautiful memories, you know, but at least I'm safe."
The victim was so rattled she does not have a good description of the guy for detectives. Pembroke Pines Police are hoping to get some fingerprints from the items the man touched in her house.
If you know who this thief is, call
Crimestoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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