Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Mukilteo woman bilked of $60,000 Police are looking for a man and a woman who convinced the senior they needed help transferring money to a charity. By Scott Pesznecker Herald Writer LYNNWOOD -- A 63-year-old Mukilteo woman was reportedly scammed out of $60,000 by a man and woman who sold her a story about charity, hostages and a death in the family, Lynnwood police said. Lynnwood police are searching for a man and woman in connection with the incident. The two were filmed by security cameras near the Mukilteo woman's bank driving off in a new, black Ford Expedition. They were there to withdraw cash, Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said. Police believe the scammers worked together to con the Mukilteo woman. The female thief said she was looking for honest, trustworthy people who would take thousands of dollars from her to donate to charity. The man, who posed as a bystander, helped lure the Mukilteo resident into the scheme by feigning interest in the woman's seemingly charitable plan, Sessions said. "We don't know if they offered to give (the Mukilteo resident) something in return," Sessions said. Police said the Mukilteo woman was approached by the female scammer July 2 in the parking lot of Costco in Lynnwood. She claimed to be from a wealthy family in Africa and said she'd come to America because her uncle died and left her up to $180,000. The scammer said she needed to give the money to charity and that she had to return to Africa immediately because her family was being held hostage, Sessions said. She showed the Mukilteo woman official-looking documents and a roll of cash lined with $100 bills, police said. The woman also made a phone call -- claiming to call her attorney -- and told the Mukilteo woman they must go to a nearby fast-food restaurant to find a second person to help give the money to charity, Sessions said. Once at the restaurant, they met the man, who said his name was Frank, Sessions said. The man left the restaurant and soon returned with a bag of jewelry and cash to show he wasn't poor. The female scammer said she trusted him and gave him what she said was $90,000, Sessions said. Then, she convinced the Mukilteo woman to drive to her own bank to withdraw cash, while the scammers waited across the street. The Mukilteo woman came out with $60,000; she tried to get more, but that's the most the bank would give her, Sessions said. Sessions said police don't know precisely what the scammers told the woman to get her to withdraw the money. Somehow, the pair convinced the Mukilteo woman to leave them alone with the cash, Sessions said. They were gone when she returned. "These people are definitely focusing on seniors," Sessions said. "It's a case of a woman who fell for this, some fast talkers, and it all happened pretty quickly." The woman police are looking for is described as black, in her 30s or 40s, and standing up to 5 feet, 3 inches tall. She was wearing a wig, a pink blouse and black pants, and she spoke with a heavy accent, Sessions said. The other reported scammer appears to be a Hispanic man between 35 and 45 years old, standing about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing an estimated 225 pounds. He was wearing a multicolored shirt and a flat hat with a snap button in the front, Sessions said. Anyone with information about this is asked to call Lynnwood police detective Scott Dilworth at 425-670-5619. Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

1. PETA activist creates her own circus on Everett street corner 2. Stranded teen hikers rescued from peak east of Granite Falls 3. Boeing makes final offer to Machinists 4. Edmonds man admits to Silvertips raffle theft 5. Twice as many local schools make federal watch list 6. Home movie: Snohomish native has leading role in an indie film on location in his hometown 7. Boeing sweetens offer to Machinists, retiree medical benefits safe 8. Mile-long pipes will take a boat trip 9. Former jail guard sent to jail for assault 10. Business briefly: Machinists rally in Everett over talks 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• E-W's Heard steps back into spotlight • Local theatre ready for its close up • Keeping an eye on the road • Fall into the performing arts • PCC introduces earth friendly features at Edmonds store • Cedar Valley faces sanctions over WASL scores • Breathing room • Shoreline WASL scores show less improvement since 2006 • Mill Creek man robs Rite Aid pharmacy, demands cash and drugs • Mary Burns, Owner - The BookWorks • (No heading) • August 1998: Leisure trips include sailing on the Cutty Sark; relaxing a ... • Haggen Pharmacy robot fills prescriptions — safely • $45 million expansion underway for Arlington’s Cascade Valley Hospital, ... • Alternative health care options proving worth, moving from fringe to mai ... • Boeing new 777 freighter makes its first test flight from Paine Field • New Wine Styles shop in Marysville offers wine tasting, lunches and a vi ...