PLAYERS: Usually three players. One suspect (setup man) contacts victim by telephone while two suspects pose as police detectives or security officers. These suspects will often possess authentic looking identification cards and badges.

VICTIMS: Mostly females. Most victims are previous victims of a pigeon drop or similar offense. (Fraud suspects exchange and sell victim information to one another on a routine basis.) If the suspects discover that the victim has a sizable bank account the badge play scam is put into operation.

CONTACT: Caller contacts the intended mark and poses as a police officer. The bogus officer claims that detectives have just apprehended the suspects involved in the pigeon drop offense. Victim is kept on the telephone until the arrival of the bogus officers.

CON: Victim is told that some of the money she turned over to the pigeon drop suspects was recovered and found to be counterfeit. The bank teller is believed to be switching this money, but they lack sufficient evidence to prove their suspicions. Suspects then ask the intended victim for assistance in catching the dishonest teller. Victims who agree to help are then instructed to withdraw money from their account. The "police detective" for evidence purposes eventually marks this money.

KISS-OFF: The suspects either take the money to their car to dust for fingerprints or simply use an envelope switch while in the victim's home. In either case, this is the last the victims see of their money.

FraudTech