Related videos:
Two young Cuban women fell victim to the classic "ring scam" in a park in Guantánamo by two strangers who managed to deceive them.
The girls, two cousins aged 20 and 23, were shopping in the city center when they were approached by two individuals who used the trick of claiming they had found a ring supposedly made of 14k gold and offered to exchange it for the chains they were wearing.
The girls agreed, believing that the ring was worth more than their necklaces. But later they realized that they had been given a piece made of a gold-like metal.
The story was shared on his Facebook wall by Professor Carlos Pérez, who refuted an earlier post made by internet user Luis ViralInfluencer Suárez—now deleted from social media—in which he alleged that two young women were victims of a violent robbery involving a knife.
"The victims themselves state that they were instructed by a 'friend' to testify at the police station precisely what was posted on social media, in order to facilitate their case and the location of the scammers," Pérez reported, calling for an unwavering commitment to the truth.
As the economic situation in the country worsens, the number of scams and fraud cases in their various forms is on the rise.
At the end of October, residents of Santiago de Cuba apprehended a suspect of fraud on the street and handed him over to the police. The incident occurred in the heart of the city, on Reloj Street, between San Francisco and San Gerónimo, where officers handcuffed the suspect and took him away.
In July, three men and two women were arrested in Holguín for defrauding and robbing individuals who expressed interest online in purchasing dollars.
According to the official media outlet Cazador-Cazado, those involved were using a Facebook profile named "Claudia Ramírez," through which they expressed their intention to buy dollars in various groups and provided a phone number for contact. They would then arrange to meet in a secluded location, where they employed violence or intimidation to rob the victims of their money.
In December of last year, authorities in Havana arrested a woman who was posing as a provincial inspector to scam vendors at a trade fair, demanding money from them.
To commit the crime, Yanet Lázara Díaz Álvarez wore a vest that originally belonged to the Transport inspectors, with the inscription "Provincial Inspector DIS." Since 2021, the DIS (acronym for the former Integral Supervision Directorate) no longer exists.
She was taken to the Sixth Police Station in Marianao, where a complaint was filed for the crime of usurpation of public functions.
Frequently asked questions about the ring scam in Cuba
What is the ring scam?
The ring scam is a deception in which a supposedly valuable ring is offered in exchange for personal belongings, leading victims to believe they are getting a better deal. In reality, the ring is usually made of imitation material and does not have the promised value.
How do scammers operate in the ring scam?
Scammers approach victims in public places, such as parks, and show them a ring that is supposedly made of gold. They offer to trade it for jewelry or other valuable items that the victims are carrying. The victims are convinced that they are making a good deal, but later find out that the ring is made of a cheap material.
How can people protect themselves from the ring scam?
To avoid falling victim to the ring scam, it's important to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. Do not exchange your belongings for items offered by strangers, especially if you cannot verify their authenticity right away. It is always wise to consult someone you trust before engaging in such transactions.
What role did social media play in the spread of the scam in Guantánamo?
Social media played a crucial role in debunking false information about the incident in Guantánamo. Initially, it had been reported as a violent robbery, but a clarification made by a professor on Facebook helped reveal that it was actually a scam without violence, orchestrated by a friend of the victims who was trying to expedite the police process.
Filed under: