Milan Police search for alleged “quick-change” scammer
MILAN, Tenn. — A small sale turns into a major loss for a West Tennessee business after police said they were hit by savvy scammers.
This is not a new scheme and now investigators need your help finding those responsible before they strike again.
The man police are a looking for is being called an “old school con artist,” using what is known as “quick-change” scam. He is accused of confusing cashiers and getting richer with his swift and sneaky actions at the register.
“When the transaction is over, he walks away with hundreds in money that wasn’t his,” Detective Chris Vandiver with the Milan Police Dept. said.
What looks like a simple purchase turns out to be an age-old scam all caught on camera.
“You can kind of see where this is going just by watching the video,” Vandiver said. “Especially when you see how much money starts moving around.”
Milan Police said the suspect hit their local Walmart, taking more than $500. It all starts when he uses a $100 bill to buy something cheap, in this case a pack of car fresheners.
“Once the drawer opens and the clerk needs to make change they kind of start confusing them by throwing a lot of different money their way or asking to pay with a 5 instead of the 100,” Vandiver said.
That is when things really start to get out of control.
“He puts his money on top of her money, he reaches in and moves the money,” Vandiver said. “Then at one point there’s money in two or three different places. Even just watching it, it’s confusing.”
Investigators said that is the point. These scammers target cashiers they think they can confuse quickly and easily.
“Possibly a younger or inexperienced clerk,” Vandiver said. “I’m guessing just because they might be able to intimidate them or get the upper hand on them.”
Although there is no sound in the video, police said these con-artists are also smooth talkers keeping the clerk occupied while they profit.
“They’re saying a lot of different things right after another,” Vandiver said. “Almost so the clerk can never really acknowledge what he said the first time.”
In under two minutes the suspect is in and out and on to his next target.
“My guess is that he’s been doing to this a while,” Vandiver said. “I would guess he’s doing it every day somewhere.”
Milan Police said Walmart has not been the only victim in their city, they have had a number of other reports in the past few months. If you recognize this suspect or believe you might be a victim of this scam call Milan Police at (731) 686-3309.
