92-year-old Woman Thwarts 'Pigeon Drop' Scam in Jewel Park Lot

Palos Park police are investigating a scam involving a 92-year-old woman who was approached on Monday.

The elderly victim had just parked her car in the lot at Jewel, 9600 W. 131st St., when two women walked up and attempted to pull what police called a "pigeon drop" scam.

The alert target told the would-be scammers she was aware of what they were trying to do and would not fall for it, police said.

A pigeon drop scam involves a well-dressed young woman who approaches the victim, claiming to have just found a bag or envelope with what appears to be a large amount of cash, according to police. The ruse sometimes involves talking with the intended target about children or grandchildren. The next part of the bit involves a third woman, who is in on the scam and either joins in helping find the owner of the bag or asks if the targeted victim dropped it.

Eventually, a scheme is concocted that requires the victim or "pigeon" to put up some of her own money in order to secure a way to claim the found money and split it three ways.

The first scammer from the Palos Park Jewel parking lot is described as a light-skinned white woman in her mid 50s with a medium or heavy build, round face and short black hair. She was wearing a white blouse and dark pants. The second person involved was a white woman with darker complexion and wrinkles who was very thin and had short, curly and dark hair.

Anyone with information can contact the Palos Park Police Department at 708-448-2191.

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