Man Stole $15,000 From Victim During Fake Inheritance Scam In San Leandro: Police

SAN LEANDRO, CA — A Tracy man was arrested last month after stealing thousands from a victim while trying a cash-switch confidence scam known as a "pigeon drop," authorities said.

Police say the suspect approached the victim outside their San Leandro home on July 21 and said he had inherited $3 million.

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The suspect told the victim that before he could receive it, he needed their help putting together a $200,000 donation, according to the San Leandro Police Department.

"In this type of scam, suspects display what appears to be a large amount of money and ask victims to provide their own cash as a demonstration of trust," police said. "The suspects then take the victim's money and leave behind counterfeit or otherwise worthless currency."

Despite recognizing it as a scam, the man still lost out on $15,00o, police said.

The suspect, police say, noticed the victim had $15,000 in his car, snatched it and fled. That money was supposed to go to buying a new car, the victim told officers, according to police.

Officers, through their investigation, identified Kevin Brown, 40, as a suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest, police said.

He was taken into custody in connection with the incident on Wednesday, July 29, at his home in Tracy, police said.

While searching Brown's home, detectives found $65,000 in cash, two unlawfully possessed handguns, extended magazines, and evidence believed to be associated with similar scams, police said.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has since filed charges of grand theft, financial elder abuse, conspiracy, and firearms-related offenses against Brown, police said.

"These scams rely on gaining a victim's trust and creating a sense of urgency," San Leandro Police Department Lt. Jeff Walton said. " We encourage community members to be cautious whenever someone unexpectedly approaches them with an offer involving large sums of money."

The investigation remains ongoing, authorities said, adding that anyone who may have more information on these kinds of scams should contact the San Leandro Police Department.

The department's non-emergency line is 510-577-2740.