0$9,000 stolen in donation scam outside Target and Trader Joe’s in Albemarle County

Albemarle County, VA – Police are investigating a pair of linked fraud incidents that unfolded outside shopping centers earlier this month, where suspects posing as charity solicitors stole nearly $9,000 from two victims in broad daylight.

According to the Albemarle County Police Department, the first incident took place on Sunday, December 7, between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Target. A man claiming to be collecting donations for his son approached a shopper and requested to use Square, a mobile payment app. During the encounter, additional suspects either distracted the victim or stood nearby.

The suspects managed to obtain the victim’s phone and credit card, initiating three fraudulen

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