Con artists prey on immigrants fearing a Trump crackdown

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Tom Hays and Deepti Hajela, Associated Press
Updated 6:22 pm, Thursday, March 9, 2017





NEW YORK (AP) — The call came from what looked like a government number. When an immigrant in New York City answered, the voice on the other end told him he was in the U.S. illegally and would have to pay $1,550 to stay.

It was a scam, carried out by one of a number of con artists who have been exploiting immigrants' heightened fears of deportation by posing as federal agents and demanding money, authorities say.

Such scams have been around for a long time, but there has been a flurry of reported cases since Donald Trump was elected president on promises to get tough on immigrants in the country without permission.

Police in Lynn, Massachusetts, warned immigrants to be on guard last month after a family reported getting a call from a person who claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would raid their home if they didn't wire money.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Con-artists-prey-on-immigrants-fearing-a-Trump-10989972.php#photo-12519113

[groundloop]

1. Oh, THOSE con artists.... I was expecting an orange one.

[canetoad]

2. I work from home

so have a landline. Around 3pm each day the scam calls begin.

First, I answer in a very low, mumbling tone. People I know, know it's me. Voice detection doesn't pick it up and they hang up.

If they happen to get through, my first question is, "do I know you?"

[Swagman]

3. I've been getting a flurry of email Trump scams even in Australia

promising the world and all sorts of loans etc.."guaranteed by president Trump".

Like attracts like and water always reaches it's own level.

American's Grifter community have realised they have a like-minded soul in the White House.

[Vinca]

4. You say "con artist," many say "acting presidential."

The only difference is the small time cons end up in jail.