‘Cash drop scam’ in Northern California leads to two arrests, linked to 40 cases

(FOX40.COM) — Two people were arrested in connection with a ‘cash drop scam’ that has been circulating through Northern California.
• Video Above: Scams circulating in California

Around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Vacaville Police Department responded to a loss prevention agent at a local business who reported suspicious activity in the parking lot.

“He’d (loss prevention) recently been alerted to ‘cash drop scams’ happening in other cities — and recognized suspects who matched those descriptions, possibly targeting an elderly couple,” VPD said.

In a cash drop scam, criminals will often observe a debit card transaction to capture someone’s PIN, then approach them claiming they “dropped some cash,” according to VPD. While the victim is distracted, the scammer swaps or steals their credit card and racks up thousands in fraudulent charges.

VPD said officers responded immediately and found two suspects in a nearby carwash parking lot. Both of them showed police Romanian ID cards and were found to have multiple felony warrants for fraud, identity theft, conspiracy, and caretaker embezzlement/elder abuse.

“Our investigation — in coordination with the FBI — linked them to over 40 similar cases in more than six states,” VPD said. “Thanks to one alert employee, these suspects are now in the Solano County Jail. This is how community vigilance helps keep Vacaville safe.”

Anyone with information about similar cases can contact ISS Detective Sullivan at 707-469-4857.