Legal Definitions - Jamaican switch

A "Jamaican switch," also known as a "pigeon drop," describes a type of confidence trick or fraud where two or more conspirators work together to deceive a victim and steal their money. The scheme typically unfolds in stages:

• One conspirator approaches the victim, often pretending to be naive, unsophisticated, or a foreigner, and claims to have found a large sum of money or to be in possession of a significant amount they cannot handle.
• This first conspirator offers to share the money with the victim or asks for the victim's help in managing it, perhaps by finding a charity to donate to.
• A second conspirator then appears, seemingly by chance, and poses as a helpful expert, a legal professional, or a trustworthy stranger. This second conspirator suggests a method to legitimize, secure, or process the large sum of money.
• Crucially, this method requires both the first conspirator and the victim to contribute a smaller amount of "good-faith" money, a "security deposit," or a "processing fee" as a show of trust or to cover supposed administrative costs.
• Once the victim hands over their money, the two conspirators abscond with all the funds, including the victim's contribution, leaving the victim with nothing.

(Note: The term "Jamaican switch" refers to the nature of the fraudulent scheme itself and not to any specific nationality. The alternative term "pigeon drop" is also commonly used.)

Here are some examples illustrating how a "Jamaican switch" might occur:

• Example 1: The "Found Inheritance" Scam

  Ms. Eleanor, a retired teacher, receives an email from "Mr. David Miller," who claims to be a distant relative of a recently deceased wealthy individual. Mr. Miller, feigning a lack of understanding of international finance, explains that he has inherited a vast sum but needs assistance navigating the complex legal and banking procedures to access it. He offers Ms. Eleanor a substantial percentage of the inheritance if she helps him. Shortly after, Ms. Eleanor receives a call from "Attorney Sarah Jenkins," who Mr. Miller supposedly "found" to help. Attorney Jenkins confirms the inheritance's legitimacy and advises that to release the funds, both Mr. Miller and Ms. Eleanor must deposit a "refundable legal processing fee" into a special escrow account to comply with international regulations. Mr. Miller claims to deposit his share, and Ms. Eleanor, convinced by the promise of wealth and the seemingly legitimate attorney, transfers her life savings. Both Mr. Miller and Attorney Jenkins then vanish, and the "escrow account" is revealed to be a personal account controlled by the fraudsters.

  This illustrates a Jamaican switch because Mr. Miller (Conspirator 1) creates the illusion of a large sum of money needing help due to his supposed naivety. Attorney Jenkins (Conspirator 2) introduces the requirement for "good-faith" money (the processing fee) from the victim. Ms. Eleanor is defrauded when she provides her own funds under the false pretense of securing a much larger payout.

• Example 2: The "Charitable Donation" Ruse

  Mr. Patel, a respected community leader, is approached by "Brother Thomas," who claims to be a missionary from a remote village. Brother Thomas explains he has been entrusted with a large cash donation from an anonymous benefactor for a local orphanage, but he is unfamiliar with urban banking systems and fears mishandling the money. He asks Mr. Patel for help in ensuring the funds reach the charity safely, offering a small honorarium for his time. As they discuss this in a public place, "Ms. Evelyn Reed," a seemingly reputable charity auditor, "overhears" their conversation. She advises that to ensure transparency and compliance with anti-money laundering laws, both Brother Thomas and Mr. Patel must contribute a "verification deposit" into a temporary holding account. This, she explains, will verify their identities and legitimate intentions before the large donation can be released to the orphanage. Brother Thomas "produces" his share of the deposit (fake or pre-arranged funds). Mr. Patel, motivated by altruism and trusting the "auditor," transfers a significant amount from his personal funds. Brother Thomas and Ms. Reed then disappear, and the "charity" and "holding account" are revealed to be fictitious.

  This is a Jamaican switch because Brother Thomas (Conspirator 1) presents himself as a naive individual with a large sum intended for a good cause. Ms. Reed (Conspirator 2) introduces the "verification deposit" as the "good-faith" money requirement. Mr. Patel, driven by his desire to help, becomes the victim, losing his own money to the fraudsters.

• Example 3: The "Found Lottery Ticket" Scheme

  While walking through a shopping mall, young Sarah is approached by an excited man, "Mr. Henderson," who claims to have just found a winning lottery ticket for a substantial amount. He appears overwhelmed and unsure how to claim it, stating he's a foreign visitor and doesn't understand the local lottery rules. He offers to split the winnings with Sarah if she helps him claim it. Suddenly, "Ms. Chen," a well-dressed woman, approaches them, claiming to be a lottery official or a lawyer specializing in lottery claims. She "confirms" the ticket's validity and explains that to prevent fraud and ensure a smooth payout, both Mr. Henderson and Sarah must each deposit a "security bond" into a special government-approved account. This bond, she assures them, will be fully refunded once the winnings are disbursed. Mr. Henderson quickly agrees and pretends to transfer his share. Sarah, envisioning a huge windfall, withdraws a significant sum from her bank account and hands it over to Ms. Chen. Both Mr. Henderson and Ms. Chen then make an excuse to leave, promising to return with the winnings, but are never seen again.

  This scenario exemplifies a Jamaican switch because Mr. Henderson (Conspirator 1) creates the illusion of found wealth and his own vulnerability as a foreigner. Ms. Chen (Conspirator 2) provides the "solution" that requires the victim's "good-faith" money (the security bond). Sarah, lured by the promise of a large share, loses her own funds to the fraudsters.