$9,000 stolen in donation scam outside Target and Trader Joe’s in Albemarle County
Albemarle County, VA – Police are investigating a pair of linked fraud incidents that unfolded outside shopping centers earlier this month, where suspects posing as charity solicitors stole nearly $9,000 from two victims in broad daylight.
According to the Albemarle County Police Department, the first incident took place on Sunday, December 7, between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Target. A man claiming to be collecting donations for his son approached a shopper and requested to use Square, a mobile payment app. During the encounter, additional suspects either distracted the victim or stood nearby.
The suspects managed to obtain the victim’s phone and credit card, initiating three fraudulent transactions totaling $4,250.
A short time later, a second victim was targeted in the Trader Joe’s parking lot in a similar fashion. That victim was also approached under the pretense of a donation request, and the suspects attempted to steal $5,000 using the same mobile transaction method.
Detectives believe the incidents are connected and describe the suspects as four to five Black males who may have fled the scenes in a dark-colored SUV. Surveillance images of the vehicle from the Target lot have been released by police.
The Albemarle County Police Department is asking anyone who may have been approached in a similar way or who has information regarding the suspects to contact Detective Carroll at 434-296-5807.
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Key Points
- Two victims were scammed out of nearly $9,000 in separate parking lot fraud cases on December 7
- Suspects used a fake donation scheme and mobile payment app to carry out the thefts
- Albemarle County Police are seeking information on a group of 4–5 suspects who may have fled in a dark SUV
