Suspected swindlers called the wrong business to ask for cash donations to send to the World Trade Center Relief Fund this week. Suspects in charity scam
dial wrong numberBy Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.comPolice arrested two men for theft Wednesday and Thursday after the suspects contacted an Aala bar asking for donations and unwittingly ended up talking to a Honolulu police detective.
Police said that on Wednesday one of the suspects, a 40-year-old male, called Club Yuraku Cho and spoke to an off-duty narcotics detective, believing the detective to be the owner of the bar. The suspect allegedly identified himself as being from the Honolulu Police Department and asked for a cash donation to send to the World Trade Center Relief Fund.
Police said phone arrangements were made for a "runner" to pick up the money the next day; a second suspect, a 31-year-old male, met with the "owner" and was arrested after accepting the money.
Yesterday, police said the first suspect who solicited the money over the phone surrendered to police. Both were arrested for theft and released pending an investigation.
CrimeStoppers Detective Letha DeCaires praised the quick thinking of the detective who took the call, saying she was "brilliant." However, DeCaires warns that the public must be aware of such scams, which prey on the public's emotions.
"During this time, give to organizations that you know and trust," she said. "Be careful when high-pressure tactics are used such as sending a 'runner' to pick up the cash.
"Tragedy brings out the best in most people and the worst in a small number of others. Don't give your personal information out to telephone solicitors."
Anyone with any information regarding similar scams is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *Crime on a cellular phone. Those wanting to give donations are urged to check out the Better Business Bureau Web site at hawaii.bbb.org for more information on telephone solicitation and charitable organizations.