Donor Gives $500 To Help Movie Money Scam Victim

GERMANTOWN, MD — An 18-year-old Montgomery County resident who was duped into selling her iPhone to a Lego buyer who used fake movie money has received $500 reimbursement from an anonymous donor, Montgomery Police say. The seller lost not only her phone to the seller she met online, but $50 in change she gave the scam artist who paid her with fake $100 bills.

Police are investigating reports that suspects arrange private online transactions via social media apps and websites and then use fake, prop money to pay for the items. The prop money, which can be purchased online, is used in movies and is usually marked “For Motion Picture Use Only.”

On May 23, authorities issued a press release about the recent “movie money” scam, which was covered by Patch and NBC Washington, among other media outlets. A day later, a resident who saw the NBC story contacted police to say he was “heartbroken” by the scam story and that he wanted to reimburse the victim for her losses.

Thursday morning the resident, who wants to remain anonymous, and the victim met at police headquarters. The resident gave the teen five $100 bills to compensate her for what the suspect took from her in the scam.

On May 15, the 18-year-old victim placed an ad to sell her iPhone on the app Letgo. The teenage buyer and suspect agreed to purchase the victim’s cell phone for $450, but said he only had five $100 bills and needed $50 in return. The pair met in the parking lot of the Milestone Shopping center, 20900 Frederick Road in Germantown, where the suspect gave the victim a bank envelope that appeared to contain legitimate $100 bills. The victim then turned over her iPhone 6 and $50.

When the seller attempted to deposit the money at her bank the bills were rejected after the words “For Motion Picture Use Only” were found written across the top of the $100 bills. The victim then reported the incident to police.

The suspect, who used the name Xavier on his Letgo profile, is described as a 15- to 16-year-old African American male who is tall and thin.

Police thanked the resident who donated his $500 to help compensate the victim.

Anyone who has information about this suspect is asked to call the 5th District Investigative Section at 240-773-6237. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case.

Safe Exchange Zones For Online Sales

The Montgomery County Police Department has designated Exchange Zones for residents to complete online transactions. The sites are located at each of the six police district station’s lobbies and parking lots (with the exception of the Second District parking lot).
When selling or purchasing items from anyone you don't know, police offer these safety tips:

• Always meet the buyer or seller at an exchange zone that is well populated, well lit, and preferably at a designated police exchange zone.
• Tell a friend or family member where you’re going to meet someone and when possible, take a friend with you.
• Inform the buyer/seller that you will not be alone.
• Do not invite strangers into your home.
• Never give out any personal or financial information.
• When dealing with large sums of cash, don’t be afraid to tell the buyer that you will want to check the bills for authenticity.
• It is OK to show a buyer that you have an item, but do not surrender it until you have checked the validity of the currency.
• Look for the denomination specific security features. Each bill has a specific watermark and security thread.
• Trust your instincts – if it sounds like a scam or too good to be true, it probably is.

»Images of scam victim, anonymous donor courtesy of Montgomery County Police