Bunco scams have been around for a very long time. Things that were
going on at the turn of the century (1999 to 2000), were also going
on at the turn of the last century (1899 to 1900). There is nothing
new about the sentiment that "a sucker is born every minute."
Beware of fortune tellers who tell you that money (or jewelry) is
cursed and must be placed in a plastic bag and buried in a certain
spot. (Guess who digs it up 20 minutes later?)
Beware of a stranger who approaches you to ask your advice on what
to do with a found envelope that contains a large amount of money.
Especially when they say that they'll share it with you ... but
somehow it involves you adding some "good faith" money to the pile.
Beware of a "too good to be true" home repair deal that simply shows
up at your door.
Beware of strangers wanting to come in your house. One favorite con
involves using a very young child who "needs to use the restroom."
Sad, but true.
Beware of a stranger with a plan to make YOU a partner is a million
dollar venture.
There are hundreds of variations of bunco scams. The only thing that
they have in common is the underlying intent to separate YOU from
your MONEY or PROPERTY.
Here's a few websites to check out:
http://www.crimedoctor.com/scams-con-games.htm
http://www.ccmostwanted.com/topics/sc/scams.htm
http://www.quatloos.com/
http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/