Crime Alert: Two Variations on the Flim-Flam

The Penn Police are currently investigating two separate types of fraud incidents reported in the University City area. Both are considered cases of theft commonly known as a "Flim-Flam."

In the first incident, at 40th and Chestnut Streets, a student was approached by an actor who stated that he was new to the United States and in need of assistance regarding lodgings. A woman entered the conversation posing as a sympathetic passer-by. Ultimately, the student was asked to place her jewelry and cash into a handkerchief along with what was represented as $5,000 in cash. The student was asked to hold the handkerchief for the actor until he obtained secure lodgings. The handkerchief given to the student contained only a roll of paper.

In the second scenario, a female actor, described below, has approached individuals at 32nd and Market Streets during the evening hours requesting help with a dead car battery. The actor has successfully obtained cash, supposedly to purchase a new car battery, and has prefaced her requests by falsely stating that she is an employee of the Newman Center, 3720 Chestnut Street.

: First Incident: Black male: 30 years of age, 5'10", a pproximately 140 lbs., full lips, brown teeth; last seen wearing: brown and black-patterned shirt, dark baseball cap, blue and white "Fila" sneakers; walks with a distinct limp, has a South African accent; displayed "$5,000." Black Female: 20-30 years of age, 5'5", blonde hair; last seen wearing gold earrings.; Second Incident: Black female: 30-35 years of age, 5'5", black hair; last seen wearing pale purple sweatshirt and tan pants, nose stud with red stone; claims to be an employee of the Newman Center.

Safety Tips:

Call the police to report the location and circumstances of persons claiming to be in trouble. Refer persons to the police to obtain assistance if they claim to need help with a predicament.
Do not stop and give directions or other information to strangers.
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! You don't get something for nothing.
As always, when there is a problem, use Penn's Blue Light Emergency phones for immediate contact with the Penn Police Department.

Persons with information regarding the two incidents described above may contact the Penn Police Department at the below-listed telephone numbers:

Penn Police: 898-7297

Penn Detectives: 898-4485

Victim Support: 898-4481/6600

--Officer Ann Haines and Lt. Susan Holmes

Almanac

Volume 42 Number 30
April 30, 1996

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