An elderly couple from Ciego de Ávila fell victim to a scam, losing 30,000 pesos and their gas cylinder, amidst the ongoing struggle many Cuban families face to acquire cooking fuel.
Massiely Obregón, a Cuban resident in Jamaica, reported the incident involving her parents, aged 70 and 77, via Facebook on Saturday.
According to her account, an unknown man contacted her mother, instructing her to prepare an empty gas cylinder and 30,000 pesos, claiming that her husband, a teacher, would be able to purchase a gas canister.
"Given the dire situation in Cuba, where there's nothing to cook with and everyone resorts to charcoal, it was natural for her to believe him," Obregón explained.
The man arrived on a pedicab, collected the money and cylinder, promising to return with the gas. Upon her husband's return, they realized the fraud: no gas was ever offered.
The couple immediately reported the incident to the police. Fortunately, a security camera had captured the alleged scammer.
The elderly couple's granddaughter, Milena, took it upon herself to find the suspect and successfully located him on the Central Highway, still in the same pedicab. According to Obregón, Milena stood in front of the vehicle, halting traffic until the police arrived.
"The man didn't anticipate there would be a camera capturing his image, nor did he expect that they had family willing to stand up for them," she remarked.
The suspect was apprehended, but as of the time of the report, the family had not yet retrieved the 30,000 pesos or the gas cylinder.
This incident adds to a string of scams exploiting the severe shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba. In June, a family in Las Tunas was deceived into paying 50,000 pesos for a cylinder that mostly contained water.
The scarcity and high prices in the informal market have forced many families to revert to using charcoal and wood for cooking, a situation scammers exploit by offering a product that is increasingly hard to come by.
Obregón urged others to share this experience to prevent further victims, particularly among the elderly: "Warn them not to give money in advance or hand over an empty cylinder without having the gas in hand."
Understanding the Gas Scam Crisis in Cuba
Why are gas scams prevalent in Cuba?
Gas scams are prevalent due to the severe shortage of cooking fuel in Cuba, forcing many families to seek alternative methods such as charcoal. Scammers exploit this desperation by offering hard-to-find gas supplies.
How can elderly individuals protect themselves from scams?
Elderly individuals can protect themselves by avoiding advance payments and ensuring they receive the product before handing over any money or goods. Being cautious and verifying the legitimacy of offers can also help prevent scams.