A young woman confronted a suspected scammer face to face after the man attempted to deceive her during the supposed purchase of a cell phone in a hospital in Santiago de Cuba.
Ruth Arianna Camejo reported the incident on social media, where she shared a video in which she confronted the individual outside the Orlando Pantoja Tamayo General Hospital in Contramaestre last Saturday, accusing him of attempting to scam her out of a mobile phone during a sale they had agreed upon.
“I am making this public complaint so that what I experienced today does not happen to you. Today I went to the Orlando Pantoja Tamayo hospital to sell a Samsung phone that isn’t worth two pesos. Everyone who knows me knows they can come to my house to collect things without any issues, but this person claimed to be a doctor,” Camejo wrote in the Facebook group REVOLICO (Tercer Frente Oriental).
The young woman explained that the man had previously contacted her boyfriend to arrange the purchase, but since he had traveled to Havana, she took care of the deal.
"I saw the man in the guardroom and then he took me to the small room at the back where ultrasounds are done," he recounted. "The phone said it was for his daughter who was turning 15," and that they had to wait for a friend to check it, that "he didn't know anything."
According to her testimony, the supposed buyer asked her for the charger to test it, and she handed it over. “It was the mistake I made that led to this problem; the man left with the cell phone out the back and never returned with it,” she said.
"Immediately, I went crazy and ran out to look for him. The man was already at the taxi stand, very calm, and I ran up to him and said a bunch of things because I was within my rights, since he never returned my phone." she claimed.
Camejo added that both of them went up to the hospital's guard area, and that the phone was charging in the room, in front of the ultrasound room. “He returned the phone to me, but the theft was between two; while he was leaving, another person came and took it, but that didn't happen,” she warned, convinced of the modus operandi of the scam.
The young woman described the individual as "a short, dark-skinned man of medium height, with a low haircut and coarse hair, around 27 years old," wearing a blue jacket and a mask. "Throughout the entire fight, he never wanted to take off his glasses or mask; I asked around and no one knows him as a doctor," she stated.
He confessed that he went through a "rough time," although he was able to recover his phone. "Don't go alone to do business, and don't give anything to anyone so you don't go through what I went through," he warned.
She reported that the individual called her afterward from a private number and threatened to accuse her of what she had done, which the young woman documented in screenshots that she published along with the post.
"Do what???? Claim a phone that disappeared without a trace? Well, here I am. Many people at the hospital saw everything and know what I went through; it wasn't a lie," Camejo stated.
The young woman managed to thwart what seems to be a new method of scamming people who arrange sales with supposed buyers through social networks or via telephone.
Scams have increased dramatically in recent years in Cuba, and those who commit them devise clever ways to gain trust and defraud their victims, especially by taking advantage of the growing use of digital platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scams and Security in Cuba
How do scams operate in Cuba through social media?
Scams in Cuba often involve the use of social media to gain the trust of victims. Scammers can pretend to be friends or acquaintances using stolen profile pictures to deceive individuals and request bank transfers or goods. This method has become popular on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.
What precautions can individuals take when conducting transactions in Cuba?
It is advisable not to engage in transactions with unknown individuals and to avoid handing over personal items without proper security. Additionally, it is wise to conduct transactions in public and well-lit places, preferably while accompanied. Social media is a common medium for scams, so one should be cautious when sharing personal information on these platforms.
What is the population in Cuba doing in response to the increase in crime and the inaction of the authorities?
The Cuban population is taking justice into their own hands due to the inaction of the authorities. In many cases, citizens frustrated by impunity and the lack of response from law enforcement are organizing to capture criminals, as seen in multiple recent incidents in Santiago de Cuba.
What is the impact of scams and crime on the daily lives of Cubans?
Scams and crime are creating an atmosphere of insecurity and distrust among the Cuban population. People are becoming increasingly vigilant and fearful when conducting transactions, which negatively impacts their quality of life. The lack of action from authorities exacerbates this situation, leaving the population with few options to protect themselves.
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