December 1, 1997 Getting A Charge Out Of Sweethearts -- Ask Rat Dog Archive

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December 1, 1997 Getting A Charge Out Of Sweethearts

Dear Readers,
        What a day! It isn't often I feel compelled to devote an entire column to celebrating the progressive resolution of one of my problems, but I hope you'll indulge me.
        On November 17th, four years after I initially brought the case to San Francisco cops, a grand jury finally charged eight defendants in the troublesome "Foxglove" case with 96 counts, ranging from murder conspiracy to embezzlement to elder abuse. You might have seen this story on ABC's 20/20, several years ago. If not, catch all the juicy details in Edgar award-winning Jack Olsen's, Hastened to the Grave, to be published by St. Martin's Press in the Spring.
        Anyway, that moment when the defendants all appeared in their orange jumpsuits, a smiling Angela Bufford carefully coiffed for her public appearance, meant that no more would I have to endure the rumor, "They're dropping the case." Our city's fighting DA, Terence Hallinan, and his most excellent ADA, Al Murray, had come out swinging, and I was thrilled to be there to cheer them on.
        Yet, while this case languished, sweetheart scammers continued to run amuck, not only in the Bay Area but across the nation. It reached far beyond Foxglove's Tene Bimbo clan, made infamous in Peter Maas' 1974 best-seller, "King of the Gypsies," extending to their first and distant cousins who used this very same MO, minus the poison, to fleece the elderly of their assets. So frustrated were my chief investigator and myself, that we contacted Dateline, who jumped at the chance to expose the fraud. We introduced them to Alameda County DA investigator, Ray Alsdorf, who provided a conduit to those victims willing to talk, and we even suggested the sting you saw, where a senior citizen acted as bait. That segment aired November 14th.
        These are the common elements of an organized sweetheart scam.

* The victim usually male, mid-70's on up, and the perp a twenty to fifty-five-year-old female.

* The victim is "tested" to determine his dementia. The most common pick-up line is, "Don't you remember me? My mother used to bring me to see you when I was a little girl."

* The victim is of modest means with a carefully nourished nest egg, their assets normally ranging from $10,000 to $250,000.

* The whole family participates in the swindle and shares the proceeds. The woman invariably arrives with a "brother," who is actually her husband.

* There is an initial test-request, most often a car. Subsequent needs involve health issues and venture capitol. Before long, the victim is paying for the entire family's lodging, phone and grocery bills, and even the pager that keeps him at bay.

* At some point, sex is introduced; invariably just a little bosom-flashing and fondling. The titillation binds the gent to secrecy, just as happens in cases of incest. Often they keep the relationship clandestine right up until the point of marriage. And how can they not marry, when they've violated their own early 20th Century ethics?

* Marriage is the sweetheart scam equivalent of winning the lottery. Property is immediately changed over to a joint tenancy deed, avoiding the problems of probate.

* The wife never spends more than a few sporadic nights with her husband, citing family problems or whatever.

* The scam continues for years and is only over when the elder is conserved or has nothing left to give. Even then, the bride hovers about, insuring he won't cooperate with authorities.

        But what Dateline failed to mention was that our own non- profit organization, ElderAngels, can provide a conduit between the elderly victims of financial fraud and the proper entity -- be it a civil attorney, conservator or law enforcement agency -- which can best alleviate their suffering. If you know of such abuse, or wish to volunteer your support, please call us at (415) 284-1160.

	*	The victim usually male, mid-70's on up, and the perp a twenty to fifty-five-year-old female.
	*	The victim is "tested" to determine his dementia. The most common pick-up line is, "Don't you remember me? My mother used to bring me to see you when I was a little girl."
	*	The victim is of modest means with a carefully nourished nest egg, their assets normally ranging from $10,000 to $250,000.
	*	The whole family participates in the swindle and shares the proceeds. The woman invariably arrives with a "brother," who is actually her husband.
	*	There is an initial test-request, most often a car. Subsequent needs involve health issues and venture capitol. Before long, the victim is paying for the entire family's lodging, phone and grocery bills, and even the pager that keeps him at bay.
	*	At some point, sex is introduced; invariably just a little bosom-flashing and fondling. The titillation binds the gent to secrecy, just as happens in cases of incest. Often they keep the relationship clandestine right up until the point of marriage. And how can they not marry, when they've violated their own early 20th Century ethics?
	*	Marriage is the sweetheart scam equivalent of winning the lottery. Property is immediately changed over to a joint tenancy deed, avoiding the problems of probate.
	*	The wife never spends more than a few sporadic nights with her husband, citing family problems or whatever.
	*	The scam continues for years and is only over when the elder is conserved or has nothing left to give. Even then, the bride hovers about, insuring he won't cooperate with authorities.