A Cuban from the U.S. reported on TikTok that his mother was scammed in Cienfuegos through a scheme involving fake rings. Dozens of internet users claimed that this trick is old and very common in Cuba.
The TikTok user @marky.barrera.ofi reported in a viral video that his mother was a victim of a scam in the city of Cienfuegos, Cuba, involving a deception related to alleged gold rings.
"They scammed my mom in Cuba, attention people of Cienfuegos, especially. I don't know if this is happening in the rest of Cuba, but this happened in Cienfuegos," the young man began to recount.
According to the explanation, the woman was walking along the Prado, in front of the funeral home, when she bent down to tie her shoe. At that moment, a young man pretended to find a bag with rings and appeared visibly excited. Inside the bag was a note with the supposed value of the jewelry.
Shortly thereafter, a man appeared pretending to be a gold buyer, who confirmed that the rings were authentic, made of 18-karat gold, valued at about $500 each. The young "finder" offered to gift one of the rings to the complainant's mother but asked for her necklace and earrings in return, arguing that his sister was turning 15 and they couldn't afford to give her anything.
The "jeweler" recommended making the exchange, assuring her that the rings were worth more. The woman agreed, believing she had struck a great deal.
"My innocent mom, obviously, changes them," said marky.barrera.ofi, who recounted that his mother called him happily with the intention of selling the rings and sending him money. "Then we realized that what had happened to her was a scam."
The young man also described his mother's emotional distress upon discovering the betrayal: "She got really bad at night, started vomiting, threw up everything, with a headache...".
The video generated thousands of views, hundreds of comments and reactions, many of which claimed that this type of scam has been widely known in Cuba for years. Some users identified the con as part of the trick called “el encontradito” or “la pala”, where those involved take on the roles of scammer, apparent victim, and supposed expert or buyer.
"That scam is very common in Havana, my dear," wrote one user. Others claimed to have experienced similar situations in cities like Santiago, Holguín, Santa Clara, Camagüey, Matanzas, Las Tunas, and even Guantánamo.
Some questioned whether the victim was truly deceived or if she acted believing she was getting an advantage. "That's not fraud; she tried to outsmart others," one person commented. "She thought she was the clever one and it backfired," wrote another.
This type of scam has been reported in various provinces of the country and usually follows the same pattern: the supposed appearance of a valuable jewel, the intervention of a third party who certifies it as legitimate gold, and a quick exchange that ultimately harms the victim.
In Guantánamo, two young women walking in a park were approached by strangers who pretended to find a 14-carat gold ring. They offered to exchange it for the chains they were wearing, and after accepting, they discovered they had received a worthless piece. The deception was reported by a relative on social media.
Scams have also been reported within hospitals, such as the case of a man who posed as a relative of critically ill patients in Havana. He exploited the emotional vulnerability of those around him to gain their trust and steal their belongings. According to reports from users, he operated for days with the same story.
Another trend has been observed in informal markets such as La Cuevita in San Miguel del Padrón, where buyers have received cartons of counterfeit cigarettes filled with sawdust, or adulterated products such as soaps and oil. The reports also indicate a lack of control at the location.
In Santiago de Cuba, the activity of so-called “chaperos” has become popular, men who simulate betting games with bottle caps on passenger trucks. They move along different routes, organize the games, and when a victim participates, they deceive them to take their money, jewelry, or belongings. Neighbors have identified some of these fraudsters as repeat offenders.
The lack of effective response from the authorities and the overall deterioration of living conditions have allowed these forms of deception to multiply, affecting vulnerable citizens who often, as in this case, are simply trying to help their loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scams in Cuba
What is the ring scam in Cuba?
The ring scam is a common deception in Cuba where individuals pretend to find valuable jewelry in order to convince the victim to exchange their belongings for the supposed gold jewelry. This type of scam has been reported in various cities across the country and follows a similar pattern in each case.
What emotional impact can these scams have on the victims?
Scams not only affect victims financially, but they can also cause a significant emotional impact. In the reported case, the complainant's mother experienced physical and emotional distress upon realizing the fraud, highlighting the psychological harm that these situations can cause.
Why are scams so common in Cuba today?
The proliferation of scams in Cuba is related to the deterioration of living conditions and the lack of an effective response from the authorities. The economic crisis, the scarcity of products, and the population's needs create an environment conducive to the multiplication of these fraudulent acts, primarily affecting vulnerable individuals.
What other types of scams have been reported in Cuba?
Besides the ring scam, other types of scams have been reported in Cuba, such as tricks in the sale of appliances and vehicles, scams in food sales using weight manipulation, and fraud in electronic transactions. These scams often take advantage of the lack of information and the trust of the victims to achieve their goals.
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