A Cuban woman named Yenney Caballero took to Facebook to expose a man allegedly attempting to deceive pedestrians with a scam that's increasingly common in Cuba: the fake ring con.
"Warning! I just encountered this criminal in El Cotorro. He's one of those scammers who drop fake rings on the ground to lure people in, eventually robbing them of their gold jewelry. He identifies who is wearing chains, rings, or anything valuable. Please be very cautious," Caballero posted.
According to her account, the incident happened on Central Street, a block away from the town's church, where the alleged scammer was accompanied by another man. "They always operate in pairs," she mentioned on Facebook.
The shared video shows the individual covering his face and fleeing the scene once he realized he was being recorded. The post quickly went viral, sparking numerous comments from locals claiming to have witnessed similar incidents in other parts of the capital.
One of the most striking comments recounted another scam attempt with a similar storyline. It begins with the supposed discovery of six gold rings and a typewritten note instructing to deliver them to "an Italian" who was supposed to pay over 700 dollars or euros each.
Reportedly, the scammers offered part of the "loot" as a gift to build trust while searching for a jeweler to sell the pieces. "They're on the loose; you can't even trust your own shadow these days," warned the user.
These scams involving fake rings or jewelry have become frequent in various regions of the country, especially in Havana's municipalities, where criminals exploit the economic crisis and scarcity to deceive unsuspecting or elderly individuals.
As of now, authorities have not commented on this case, but residents in El Cotorro are demanding increased police presence and street surveillance to prevent such frauds from continuing.
Understanding the Fake Jewelry Scam in Cuba
How does the fake ring scam operate in El Cotorro, Cuba?
The scam involves dropping fake rings on the ground to attract people's attention, then robbing them of their valuable jewelry once they are lured in.
What are residents in El Cotorro asking for to prevent these scams?
Residents are calling for more police presence and heightened surveillance on the streets to deter these fraudulent activities.