Man Arrested in “Dropped a $20” Scheme Part of U.S. Theft Ring Targeting Older Adults

Police have arrested a man they say used a deceptively simple trick to steal from older adults—and investigators now believe he’s part of a larger criminal operation targeting seniors across the country.

The scheme, dubbed the “Dropped $20 Scam,” works like this: the suspect approaches a senior citizen in a store, parking lot, or ATM line, pretending they dropped a $20 bill. When the victim stops to thank them or check their wallet, the suspect uses the moment to peek at their credit card or PIN.

That small distraction often leads to something much bigger.

While the victim is off guard, an accomplice swoops in to steal their wallet or card. In some cases, criminals have drained thousands from bank accounts in a matter of minutes.

The man now in custody was arrested after police connected him to multiple reports of similar scams in neighboring states. Authorities say he worked with others in a coordinated effort to target elderly individuals, often focusing on those alone or appearing vulnerable.

“This wasn’t a one-off,” said one investigator. “This was a calculated, cross-state operation specifically targeting seniors.”

Officials are now warning the public to be cautious of anyone using “helpful” gestures—like handing you cash unexpectedly—as a way to create a distraction. They’re also urging people to shield PIN pads, stay aware of their surroundings, and avoid engaging with strangers in high-traffic public areas.

According to the FBI, scams like this are part of a troubling trend: more than $3.4 billion was stolen from Americans over the age of 60 last year, with a growing number of cases involving in-person cons like this one.

Police are continuing to investigate and believe more suspects may be involved. They’re encouraging anyone who believes they’ve been targeted by a similar trick to report it immediately.