Multiple 'pigeon drop' scams reported in King County parking lots

There has been an increase of similar and costly scams in South King County. One victim lost more than $50,000 in a scam.

They're known as "pigeon drop" scams and often start in busy parking lots where a suspect gains a stranger's confidence with a sob story, then persuades the victim to give money in order to gain even more money – or promises to donate the money to charity.

Sgt. Cindi West of the King County Sheriff's Office called such promises "red flags."

"You shouldn't be giving anyone cash out on the streets," she said.

Flaime Reynolds of Seattle was arrested and charged with stealing $5,000 from a woman she met in the parking lot of Hung Long Asian Market in Seattle.

She was charged with theft and released from jail pending trial.

However, Reynolds didn't show up for a court appearance, and she's been on the lam ever since.

"We want to get her into custody because it's likely that she's still out there making her living victimizing other people," West told KIRO 7 on Thursday.

The King County Sheriff's Office is investigating at least three separate pigeon drop crimes allegedly perpetrated by multiple suspects.

The Federal Way Police Department has two cases of its own.

According to spokesperson Cathy Schrock, both crimes are believed to have been carried out
by John Edward Bowens and James E. Dodds working as a team.

In King County Superior Court documents charging Bowens with theft, prosecutors claim an elderly man gave Bowens $51,000 he thought would be going to charity.

People who run pigeon drop scams are "very convincing," Schrock said.

Investigators from Federal Way and King County want help locating the suspects because all three have active warrants for their arrest.

West and Schrock also want to warn citizens about pigeon drop schemes.

"There's no reason for you to be drawing your money out of the bank for someone on the street in order for you to make more money" or donate to charity, West said.

Cox Media Group