5 San Bernardino residents had been arrested in Yucaipa in what authorities say is a standard rip-off through which well-meaning donors are fleeced by individuals falsely claiming they're elevating cash for a kid’s medical bills or funeral.
The most recent arrests occurred at about 5 p.m. on April 1 on the intersection of Yucaipa Boulevard and Yucaipa Valley Circle, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Division mentioned.
A deputy noticed them holding indicators requesting donations for a kid’s funeral in addition to plastic water jugs to carry the money. Some motorists stopped at hand them cash, a information launch mentioned.
One of many solicitors lied to the deputy in regards to the little one being killed in a visitors collision in San Bernardino, the discharge mentioned.
“On the finish of the investigation, it was decided it was a rip-off and the suspects had been accumulating cash for their very own private profit. The suspects had collected over $950 in donations,” the discharge mentioned.
4 20-year-olds, a 24-year-old and a 30-year previous had been arrested on suspicion of theft by false pretense and conspiracy.
The fraudsters typically carry indicators that embody pictures of youngsters that had been printed from the web. Their tales normally collapse upon questioning.
In December, Riverside police seized $400 from individuals who had been soliciting cash for a lady affected by “akute leukemy,” based on their indicators.
In June 2019, San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies found that “Child Jacob” didn't exist and arrested 5 individuals on suspicion of panhandling and conspiracy at a Grand Terrace intersection.
The FBI warns individuals to be looking out for all method of scams, a lot of that are listed on its web site.