Four charged in ‘pigeon drop’ scam targeting elderly people in Maryland

Four suspects have been charged in Maryland with defrauding an elderly woman of nearly $40,000 “pigeon dropping” scam. – a program in which thieves promise victims a portion of the “found” cash in exchange for security.

The suspects, James Davis, 77, Connie Williams, 64, and Kenneth Gooden, 36, all of Birmingham, Alabama, along with Mary Daniel, 59, of Antioch, Tennessee, were arrested just before he allegedly attacked another victim in Clinton, according to Do Prince George’s County Police.

The department said the incident began before 1 p.m. on Oct. 21 District Hills business on Marlboro Pike.

Two suspects approached the elderly woman, pretending to find a bag of cash, and asked if it was hers.

They then convinced her to join them and “donate” the money to charity – but with a twist. They convinced her to withdraw money from her own account as “collateral” to prevent the alleged donation from being traced.

Within two days, the victim donated almost $40,000.

Using advanced investigative techniques, on October 24, the PGPD Financial Crimes Unit tracked the suspects to a mall in Clinton.

They were arrested after two suspects approached another elderly woman in a parking lot, reportedly trying to pull off the same plan.

Anyone with information about the suspects or who believes they may be victims of fraud should contact the PGPD Financial Crimes Unit at 301-516-1464.