Stranger ringing doorbells asking for $$/claiming emergency

anonymous · May 2006

This is the second time in a month this guy has come to my home. first time was about a month ago, approx. 8pm. He rang my doorbell (I live on the ground floor of a brownstone on President Street), I looked out the window and he introduced himself as a neighbor who was in a bind, his daughter had an asthma attack, had just taken her to the hospital and needed money to get her medication. Of course I knew this was bogus so I didnt let him in or give him money. tonight, the same man came to my home, this time at 10:30, claiming there was an emergency a few doors down. my partner chased him away. we called the police to warn them about this guy.
He's a white male, heavyset, wears eyeglasses (similar to old school cazals, big and thickisch) and had on a blue hooded sweatshirt (both times) I would say he's in his 30's. not sure of height.
has anyone encountered this same situation?

quijibo · May 2006

thanks for the heads-up.
i'm glad you called the police

anybody wearing Cazal's is immediately suspect

armchair_warrior · May 2006

quijibo wrote: thanks for the heads-up.
i'm glad you called the police

anybody wearing Cazal's is immediately suspect

*puts on his cazal's.

hey you got a problem there punk

.

quijibo · May 2006

hey! :shock:
where were you at 10.30 pm last night? 8)

markroth8 · May 2006

Subject: Re: Stranger ringing doorbells asking for $$/claiming emerge

chrislisa wrote: ...has anyone encountered this same situation?

Yeah! I live on the ground floor of a brownstone on 2nd street. He came to our door earlier this month or so. His story was that his daugther needed asthma medicine and the ATM was down or something. I was thinking "so why don't you just go to another ATM?" I told him we don't keep money in the house, wished him good luck and sent him on his way. I thought of calling the police, but ended up not doing so.

anonymous · May 2006

I checked with a few neighbors when I got home last night, he didnt trouble them this go round but apparently he pulled the asthma story on my neighbor a few doors down at the begin of the month. next time I'll try to get a picture of him....there BETTER not be a next time. especially at 10:30 at night.
Thanks for your reply Mark

armchair_warrior · May 2006

quijibo wrote: hey! :shock:
where were you at 10.30 pm last night? 8)

asking people for money on the subways, what else you think!

markroth8 · May 2006

chrislisa wrote: I checked with a few neighbors when I got home last night, he didnt trouble them this go round but apparently he pulled the asthma story on my neighbor a few doors down at the begin of the month. next time I'll try to get a picture of him....there BETTER not be a next time. especially at 10:30 at night.
Thanks for your reply Mark

It was late at night for us too. He only came once to my door, but next time the doorbell rings late at night I'll grab my digital camera.

- Mark

mdgately · June 2006

I heard this same scam - child had asthma attack, need money to pay doctor - late at night last month on the street in Greenpoint, only it was a woman. Perhaps this is the new popular con game, like "bumping" into someone then dropping food or a pair of already-broken glasses, and demanding payment.

anonymous · June 2006

Same here on 8th and 8th, with the same white guy but not recently - some time over summer last year. I offered to walk with him to the nearest pharmacy, the one on 8th and 8th, but he declined. And so did I.

daniel · June 2006

I got hit up by this same guy in October 2004, on Union & 7th. Didn't give him anything.

anonymous · June 2006

Subject: Daughter with asthma scam

This guy made the rounds here on Fourth St. about two weeks ago.
Several kindhearted neighbors believed him and gave him money.
This scam ranks up there with the famous chocolate bars-for-basketball uniforms scam often encountered on subways (just what are those school-aged kids doing selling candy bars on the subway at noon on a school day?).

audubonny · June 2006

Subject: Re: Daughter with asthma scam

famdoc wrote: This scam ranks up there with the famous chocolate bars-for-basketball uniforms scam often encountered on subways (just what are those school-aged kids doing selling candy bars on the subway at noon on a school day?).

Whenever I buy candy, it's because I want the candy, not because I believe/support the kid selling it.

anonymous · June 2006

Subject: daughter with asthma scam

yes, what appears to be the same man in the various postings came to my place last night--around 10 ish.

used the story of the daughter and asthma attack. i actually thought i would check what he said out, but instead of waiting for me to get my things, he took off.

he went by the name of Felix, and he had various pieces of identification, though not any credit cards or photo ids.

this was at union st. and 5th Ave.

blim8183 · June 2006

I think he might've come by my place too a couple days ago on Union between 4th and 5th. I heard someone ring the doorbell so I looked out the window first (since I wasn't expecting anyone) and saw someone looking around then walking away.

pitu lillet · June 2006

Subject: meeting tonight

If you'd like to get the police in on this scam-ster . . . there happens to be a meeting tonight. This info just popped up in my email, I've never been to one of these meetings . . .

if anyone goes, could you post about it please?

78th Precinct Community Council meeting
When: Tuesday, June 27th
Time: 7:30pm
Location: 78th Precinct
6th Avenue and Dean Street, 4th floor

Otherwise, contact the community affairs officers, listed below:
Community Affairs officers:
Officer Cooper & Officer Molina
718.636.6410
Ã‚Â
Precinct Front desk: 718.636.6411

armchair_warrior · June 2006

Subject: Re: Daughter with asthma scam

famdoc wrote: This guy made the rounds here on Fourth St. about two weeks ago.
Several kindhearted neighbors believed him and gave him money.
This scam ranks up there with the famous chocolate bars-for-basketball uniforms scam often encountered on subways (just what are those school-aged kids doing selling candy bars on the subway at noon on a school day?).

I loved those candys hehe. i wish they come over my place more offten. some of them are good tasting!!!

anonymous · June 2006

whelp, I'm glad so far no one has fallen victim to his scheme. at least no one here

Stranger ringing doorbells asking for $$/claiming emergency

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