A man in Mexico claiming to be a Mission woman’s cousin scammed her out of some money, police said.
The suspect told the victim he was stuck at an airport in Mexico and needed money right away. The victim sent money via Western Union three times, because the suspect kept calling her back.
The woman learned that she had been duped after calling her extended family in Mexico to verify the suspect’s identity.
An eerily similar incident occurred to this reporter’s family in San Diego. Several people called, claiming to be cousins on their way to the U.S. and in need of money to complete their trip. A phone call to our extended family revealed that the calls were fraudulent.
Police are warning residents to be vigilant about this type of scheme, as the perpetrators often target the elderly and take advantage of people who want to help their families.
The Los Angeles Times has a piece detailing the proliferation of these scams since the war on drugs began in Mexico.
