Pigeon Drop

PLAYERS: Two (Usually)

• The Catch
• Accomplice

GAME: The Catch approaches the mark and says that he/she has found a package. Once opened, the package appears to contain a large amount of money and a note. This note will indicate the money is the result of illegal activity and is unlikely to be claimed. The catch then asks for advice on what should be done about the money.

Accomplice then appears and is asked by the Catch for assistance. The Accomplice will then claim to work for an attorney ina nearby office. After checking with his attorney, it is announced that they can split the money three ways as long as no one spends any of it for atleast one month. The accomplice then suggests that each of them offer proof of their financial independence. This "good faith" gesture in intended to prove that they won't be tempted to spend the money before the requisite waiting period has expired. Suspects then place what appears to be $5,000 or more of their own money into the "found package." After the victim duplicates this act of "good faith," the package is switched for an identical one containing blank paper.

CON: The accomplice says that the boss must check the found money to verify its authenticity. The victim then accompanies the suspect into the attorney's office building. Once inside, the suspect suddenly has to place a telephone call or use the bathroom. To avoid any suspicion, the victim is given the package said to contain the money. When the suspect fails to return, the victim discovers that the package contains nothing but blank paper.