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Insets: A group in Palm Springs, Calif., are seen asking motorists for donations to help with funeral expenses for a “deceased” child who is still alive, according to cops (Palm Springs Police Department). Background: The intersection at Ramon Road and San Luis Rey Drive in Palm Springs where police say “scammers” were taking advantage of “good-hearted” drivers with a dead child scheme (Google Maps).
The Palm Springs Police Department shared images online, capturing the scene where at least three people were stationed at the intersection of Ramon Road and San Luis Rey Drive in Riverside County. These individuals held up pictures and signs, engaging with motorists to solicit funds. Following this deceitful act, two of the scammers were subsequently arrested.
“Scammers are increasingly exploiting emotional narratives to prey on the kindness of strangers,” the police department stated. “A prevalent method involves using signs with children’s images, appealing for aid with supposed funeral or medical costs.”
The police further noted that such scams are often well-coordinated, with perpetrators using images that are either misappropriated from legitimate charities or simply sourced from the internet. In this particular instance, the scammers were seen entering the intersection with photographs of a child, falsely claiming the child’s demise, while investigations confirmed otherwise.
Police say operations such as these are often organized and the images the scammers use are frequently stolen from real charities or pulled straight from the internet. In this case, the individuals were allegedly walking into the intersection with photos of a child that they claimed died when investigators confirmed the child was alive.
“Officers looked into their story and confirmed the child they claimed was deceased is very much alive,” Palm Springs PD said. “We know many in our community have encountered similar situations.”
Police urged local residents not to give money to people “stepping into the roadway or standing on medians to solicit cash,” especially while using emotional stories or photos.
“This behavior is unsafe, and many of these operations are fraudulent,” the department said. “If you come across this type of activity in Palm Springs, call our non-emergency line.”
The individuals who were arrested are both from Redlands and they face charges of obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit a crime.