A private business in Cuba was defrauded last Friday night by two individuals who used a trick with bills to fraudulently obtain money, an incident that was recorded by a security camera.
According to the report received by elTOQUE, the scammers requested a product and paid with a 1,000 peso bill.
After receiving the merchandise and the change, they inquired about the price of the item and claimed it was too expensive, demanding a refund.
When the clerk handed them back the 1,000 peso bill, the scammers quickly hid it and pulled out another 100 CUP note with the other hand.
Later, they claimed that the seller had given them the wrong bill, thus managing to receive a second 1,000 peso bill and ending up with more money than they originally had, as noted in the complaint received by elTOQUE.
The security video, which shows the maneuver in detail, reveals how the scammers took advantage of the confusion to carry out the deception.
In the comments section, some users stated that this practice is known as "cambiazo" and is not new.
Others advised the clerks that whenever they go to give change, they should announce it aloud to avoid situations of this nature.
In January, a Cuban publicly reported a scam method that operates on social media aimed at deceiving unsuspecting users through fraudulent bank transactions.
According to his explanation, he quickly detected the attempt and decided to share his experience to alert others.
Reinaldo Suárez explained in the group Facebook “Bazar Santiago de Cuba” the modus operandi of the fraudsters.
In his post, he explained that these individuals use Facebook ads offering cash in exchange for bank transfers.
Once the victim shows interest, they request their phone number, access their profile, copy a photo of a friend, and contact the person through WhatsApp, pretending to be that friend in order to gain their trust.
In January as well, a local development project in Ciego de Ávila, known as La Finquita, issued a public alert after detecting the sale of counterfeit ice creams being marketed under its brand.
According to reports, unscrupulous individuals are purchasing lower quality and cheaper ice creams, repackaging them in La Finquita containers with fake labels, and then selling them primarily through social media.
In December, two young Cuban women were victims of the classic "ring scam" in a park in Guantánamo by two strangers who managed to deceive them.
The young women, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Scams in Cuba
How was the scam against the private business in Cuba carried out with a 1,000-peso bill?
The scam was carried out using the "switch" method: the scammers paid for a product with a 1,000 peso bill, received the change, and then claimed that the price was too high, requesting a refund. Upon receiving the 1,000 peso bill back, they skillfully switched it for a 100 peso bill, alleging a mistake, and managed to obtain a second 1,000 peso bill.
What security measures can businesses in Cuba take to prevent fraud with banknotes?
To avoid scams, businesses in Cuba can implement measures such as carefully checking bills when receiving payments, announcing the amount loudly when handing over change, and using security cameras to record transactions. Additionally, training employees to recognize common scam tactics can be very helpful.
What other scamming methods are common in Cuba currently?
In Cuba, in addition to the "cambiazo", there are common scams such as the sale of counterfeit products on social media, banking scams through fake transactions, and the use of counterfeit bills. Cases of personal scams have also been reported, such as the classic "ring scam", where valuable items are exchanged for fake jewelry.
How can a high denomination counterfeit bill be identified?
High-denomination bills, such as the 100-dollar ones, typically feature security characteristics like watermarks, security threads, color-changing numbers, and microprinting. Checking these elements when receiving a bill can help determine if it is genuine or not.
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