The media abounds with stories about dumb criminals:
“Eight Dumb Criminals Caught Through Facebook!”
“These Seven Dumb Criminals Basically Arrested Themselves!”
“Criminals Caught By Bragging About Their Crimes Online!”
But after hearing a recent local crime story, I can’t help but wonder – who are the dummies? The suspects, or their victims?
Here’s what happened:
In a bank parking lot, these two women are dressed in medical scrubs. The first woman is sitting in the driver’s seat of a car, and the second approaches a person – hereafter referred to as “the victim” – in the parking lot.
The second woman asks “the victim to cash a check usually for the amount of $4,900,” and promises the victim $40 for their assistance. This happens to a series of victims.
The checks turn out to be fake, and the suspects net around $44,000 – so far.
Let’s put ourselves in the victims’ shoes.
Scenario #1: A woman walks up to you in a bank parking lot and says, “Excuse me, I have this check and I’m wondering if you can help me cash it? I’m blond and wearing
hospital scrubs, so obviously I’m trustworthy.”
Would you think, “Blond, hospital scrubs. No problem!”
Of course not.
Scenario #2: A woman walks up to you in a bank parking lot and says, “Excuse me, I have this check and I’m wondering if you can help me cash it? I’ll meet you by my getaway car – it’s right over there.”
Would you think, “A getaway car? They must be filming one of those reality TV shows. No problem!”
Of course not.
Scenario #3: A woman walks up to you in a bank parking lot and says, “Excuse me, I have this check and I’m wondering if you can help me cash it? I’d cash it myself but I forgot my fake ID.”
Would you think, “What a hassle, forgetting your fake ID. No problem!”
Of course not.
You would think, “We’re in a bank parking lot. Why doesn’t she go into the bank and cash it herself?”
Wouldn’t this raise a teensy-weensy bit of suspicion?
For the victims, apparently not.
I’m assuming the suspect’s checks were made out to “Cash.” The victim takes the check into the bank and cashes it, the victim hands over $4,900 to the suspect, the suspect gives the victim $40, the suspects drive away.
Who would take a check from a stranger, walk into a bank and cash it for them?
Who are the real dummies here?
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