Suspects scam 80-year-old out of $10,000 after promising more money

Deputies are searching for two suspects who swindled thousands of dollars from an elderly woman in a “pigeon drop” scheme.

Sheriff Leon Lott said two suspects initially approached an 80-year-old woman at Walmart, 10060 Two Notch Road, June 23 and convinced her to take them to a bank to withdraw cash, according to a news release from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspects lured the victim into a “pigeon drop” scam, where scammers persuade victims to give them a sum of money to secure a larger sum of money later.

The female suspect reportedly went to National Bank of South Carolina, 9370 Two Notch Road, where she helped the victim withdraw $10,000 in cash.

The suspects then took the money and fled.

Surveillance cameras captured images of the female suspect at the bank.

She was described as a black woman in her 30s or 40s. At the time of the crime, she was wearing a white blouse, black slacks and a wig.

The second suspect was described as a black male in his 40s or 50s. He was wearing beige slacks, a beige shirt and a beige ball cap.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact Crimestoppers at -888-CRIME-SC, www.sccrimestoppers.com or text “TIPSC” plus the message to CRIMES (274637). People who leave tips that lead to an arrest can receive up to $1,000 in rewrad money.