A Hispanic couple has been targeting other Hispanics in a lottery ticket scam, Arlington County police said Thursday.
The couple approach Hispanics, claim to be illegal immigrants and then ask for help with cashing a winning ticket, saying they fear their illegal status will keep them from getting the cash, police said.
But the couple also wants assurance that their target won’t run away with the ticket, so they ask for cash up front.
On July 17, they were caught in the act on camera. After spending two hours with the victim collecting cash from an Arlington automated teller machine, the couple abandoned their female Hispanic target outside an area fast-food restaurant, Arlington County police spokeswoman Det. Crystal Nosal said.
“The premise of being in the country illegally is not going to work on someone who is not Hispanic,” Nosal said. “It preys upon that type of relationship.”
Police believe there may be multiple victims. Anyone with information should call Det. Gary Gleason at 703-228-4190.
