The Tupelo Police Department Criminal Investigation Division has seen an increase of reports involving an array of crimes. A number of these crimes are scams luring in victims by promising cash rewards. They include notification of cash winnings by phone. The victim is usually notified by phone of a “Cash Winning” 
in a drawing or sweepstake. The suspect tells the victim to purchase a cashiers check and deliver to the caller in order to receive their winnings. Citizens are also reporting being contacted on the internet of a “Secret Shopper” scam. The victim’s receive a check and are instructed to cash the check, purchase selected items at predetermined locations and send the remaining cash to the caller. The checks are fraudulent, and if a victim falls for this scam, he/she will be held responsible by the bank for the amount of the bad check. Also, the detectives have received reports of the “Pigeon Drop” scam in Tupelo. Often occurring in a mall or shopping complex parking lot, a well-dressed young woman approaches the selected victim, usually an older woman. The younger woman will claim she has just found a bag, briefcase or envelope containing cash and inquire about ownership. A second suspect will approach and tell them she works for an attorney and will seek his advice. Ultimately the pair of thieves will convince the victim to give them cash to secure her part of the found money. They tell the victim the money is necessary to receive her part of the found money. A reminder, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. For more information on the above listed scams, please go to the Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi website at www.crimestoppersnems.com.
The detectives have also seen an increase in automobile burglaries, the reports in June are 28, and 24 thus far in July. In most cases, the victim’s property is left in plain view. The items taken include cell phones, purses, wallets, GPS device, MP3 players, and laptop computers. The criminals are gaining access to the vehicles through car windows left down, car doors unlocked, and breaking the car windows. The Tupelo Police Department encourages our citizens to place their valuables in the trunk out of view prior to arriving at their destination. These are crimes of opportunity; a criminal will usually bypass a vehicle if nothing of value is visible.