Bill Apley, 77, of Lacey, who fell for the con over the course of a few hours Friday, wound up providing the suspects a $5,000 cash advance on his credit card and $20,000 in cash withdrawn from a bank certificate of deposit, wife Suellen Apley said Tuesday.
The scam, known as a “pigeon drop,” has occurred several times in the region in the past few years, and there probably are a few unreported cases as well because people are embarrassed after falling for such a scam, Lt. Phil Comstock said. The scam generally targets the elderly and the scammers usually are well-rehearsed, he said.
“He knows what he did,” Apley said, adding that her husband recently was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. “He’s mad at himself, he’s angry at himself and he’s depressed.”
Apley became ensnared in the scam about 11 a.m. Friday and wound up withdrawing $20,000 at Washington Federal Savings just before 3 p.m., Comstock said.
According to Suellen Apley and Comstock:
Bill Apley drove to the Dollar Tree store in Lacey about 11 a.m. and was approached by a well dressed man thought to be about 6 feet tall.
He told Apley he had just received an inheritance of more than $90,000 and instructions to distribute the funds to several churches, but needed help from Apley because he was unfamiliar with the area.
The two drove to the Church of God in the Ruddell Road/Lacey Boulevard area, where they met a second suspect also willing to contribute some money to the cause. As proof, the second suspect produced cash and jewelry.
“They suggested that Apley do the same thing and complete the trust circle,” Comstock said.
He did so, getting a $5,000 cash advance on his credit card at a Bank of America branch in Lacey. They then headed to Washington Federal Savings for the rest. A woman in that bank is the third suspect; police think she acted as a lookout, Comstock said.
From there, they told Apley to meet them in front of a nearby liquor store. Once there, they agreed that they shouldn’t handle so much money in front of the store so asked to meet Apley behind the business. Apley headed off to that location, but the suspects did not, he said.
“They failed the trust test,” he said.
Apley then realized what had happened, and notified his family and police, Comstock said.
Police have no leads, although they have retrieved some video footage along the suspects’ route and are seeking more, he said.
Anyone who is approached in a similar fashion, such as in parking lot, and is asked to participate or contribute money to an investment should call 911, he said.
Suellen Apley said two funds to help replenish some of the family’s money have been set up in the Apley family name – one at Washington Federal Savings and Sterling Savings in Lacey.
Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403
rboone@theolympian.com
