LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Metro police are looking for a Hispanic couple who scammed an elderly woman out of $1,500. According to police, the victim was at a shopping center on the southeast side when she was approached individually by the two suspects. Minutes later, the suspects, pretending they didn't know each other, bumped into the woman again.
"The female says she has some loose diamonds she wants to sell. The male convinced the woman to given him one of the diamonds to sell to a jeweler and gave his wallet as collateral," said Officer Bill Cassell from Metro. A few minutes later, according to Cassell, he returned with a wad of cash.
The man then told the woman he could sell the rest of the diamonds. His accomplice responded, telling him he'd need to give her more than a wallet as collateral to buy the rest of her loose diamonds. According to Cassell, they convinced the elderly woman she could make some quick money if she got in on the deal.
The woman went to the bank, withdrew the money and gave it to the man, who then wandered off, supposedly to sell another diamond. Minutes later, the woman excused herself for a moment. Neither suspect ever returned.
"If it sounds too good to be true, watch it," said Mordechai Yershalmi, owner of The Jewelers on Western Avenue near Sahara. "I would stay away from the environment if someone is trying to rush you into something - to try and buy supposedly to help them."
The male suspect is 5'3", about 50 years old with a small beer belly. The female is about 30 years old, 5'0", weighing about 120 pounds.
Anyone with any information concerning this crime is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (702)-385-5555
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
Scam suspect (Photo from LVMPD)
Scam suspect (Photo from LVMPD)
Scam suspect (Photo from LVMPD)
