by Scott Schaefer

Just days after her husband passed away, a 75-year old Burien widow was the victim of a telephone scam, and she wants our Readers to know how she was recently duped into sending money to a man she “thought she knew, but didn’t,” in Nogales, Mexico.

During the first phone call, received Tuesday, Feb. 15, the man fished for information from the woman, speaking in Spanish and asking her excitedly, “you know who this is, right?” She guessed by mentioning the name of a Mexican relative, and he claimed that, yes indeed, he was that very same man, and that he was driving “all the way up from Mexico just to see” her.

The next day, the scammer called the woman’s daughter and told her he had been in an accident. She was initially convinced it was the relative, since her Mother had told her about the man’s first phone call the day before. The fact that the man didn’t speak any English didn’t arouse much suspicion, as the daughter chalked that up to his stress from being in an accident.

However, the relative that the scammer was claiming to be also speaks fluent English, yet this man didn’t – a definite red flag.

The man was able to convince them both that he had been in an accident. The scammer claimed that he had two checks in his possession – for $4,000 and $3,000 (US) – but that he couldn’t cash either until he crossed the border and found a US bank. He then asked her for money to pay for the repairs on the car he hit, initially asking for “a couple thousand dollars.” She said she didn’t have that much. He then asked how much she could send, and she told him $180. The man quickly agreed to that amount.

She then wired $180 via Western Union to a woman in Nogales, Mexico named “Georgina Zamora Palafox,” who the man claimed was the woman in the accident whose car he hit. Western Union has since confirmed that the person who claimed the money was indeed that woman, and that she used a matching picture ID.

Later that day, the scammer called back and asked her to send him more. The victim said she didn’t have any more to send, but that her daughter might be able to help.

The victim, now getting suspicious, called the alleged man’s Mother in Mexico City to confirm that the man was who he said he was. When his Mother told her that the man was not traveling, was at home with his wife, she realized she had been scammed.

The woman’s daughter also talked to the man and he gave her a phone number to call back. Since this scam has been revealed, the man dialed the victim back several times today. She didn’t answer her phone, but recorded the number from Caller ID. Burien Police were unable to be on the scene to answer any of his calls on Thursday (Feb. 17).

“This man is missing his calling,” the victim said. “He should be an actor! He simulated realistic stress and excitement over the alleged accident very well. He also simulated affection and concern for the loss of my husband and for the pain I was in.”

Burien Police have been contacted, and the victim will soon be contacting the state Attorney General and the FBI.

For more information on how to detect, avoid and report telephone scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website here, or the FBI’s here.

Local police, the FBI and Crimestoppers of Washington are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect in the photos above, who may be responsible for four bank robberies, two of which occurred in Des Moines.

If you recognize this man, police ask that you do NOT attempt to apprehend him; instead, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Here’s the info from a Crimestoppers poster:

There have been 4 Bank Robberies since 10/16/10 which the FBI believes may be related.

The suspect has been described as a: Hispanic/Asian/ Black male in his 20’s, 5’10”, 150-170lbs slim to medium build with black hair.

A note has been used in all the robberies, with no weapon seen or implied.

The banks robbed are:

• 10/16/2010 – Wells Fargo at 22037 7th Ave S, Des Moines
• 10/16/2010 – US Bank at 3725 S. 144 St, Tukwila
• 10/18/2010 –US Bank at 1850 S. 120th St, Seattle
• 10/19/2010 –Chase Bank at 1640 S. 272nd St, Des Moines

If you recognize this man do not attempt to apprehend him, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

ALL CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL

CRIME STOPPERS OF PUGET SOUND WILL PAY A CASH REWARD OF UP TO $1000.00 FOR ANY INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CHARGE OF ANYONE INVOLVED IN A FELONY.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, CALL 1-800-222-TIPS OR TEXT: FYI + the message to 274637 (CRIMES) AND SEND IN YOUR ANONYMOUS CRIME TIP.

He’s probably the most famous hijacker there ever was, and he did his deed practically over our heads on Nov. 24, 1971 – we’re speaking of course about Dan “D.B.” Cooper, who hijacked Northwest Orient Flight 305 just prior to landing at Sea-Tac Airport, got his ransom of $200,000 cash, then parachuted out the back of the 727 during the flight, never to be seen again.

Cooper’s skyjacking remains the only unsolved one in the history of the U.S.

And now, nearly 39 years later, his caper is the basis for a Highline Historical Society exhibit at SeaTac City Hall (located at 4800 South 188th Street), where you can “re-discover the particulars of D.B. Cooper’s clever airborne crime and daredevil getaway (which) have been pondered, picked over and recapitulated for decades now.”

According to the FBI:

On November 24, 1971, an unknown subject, also known as Dan Cooper, purchased a one-way ticket on Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305. The flight was carrying 36 passengers and crew. The flight originated in Portland, Oregon with the final destination of Seattle, Washington.

This animation shows how "D.B. Cooper" parachuted out the 727.

The plane was hijacked just prior to its arrival in Seattle. In Seattle, the hijacker allowed the passengers and two stewardesses to depart the plane. Northwest Orient Airlines paid the hijacker $200,000.

The plane departed Seattle for Reno, Nevada. It is believed the hijacker parachuted from the plane during this flight. Authorities and personnel from Fort Lewis, Washington searched for Mr. Cooper but he was never found.

In 1980, an 8-year-old boy found $5,800 on the bank of the Columbia River. This is the only money ever recovered from the ransom.

Some more info:

• Cooper dove into a freezing rainstorm at an altitude around 10,000 feet, wearing only his business suit and loafers.
• The temperature was apparently -7 below zero, not counting a windchill factor estimated at minus 70 because of the plane’s speed of 200 mph.
• He parachuted into dense forest at night, at the onset of winter, with no food or survival gear.

Oh, and next time you’re upset at having to go through security at the airport? Blame Cooper, as passenger screening didn’t start until after his stunt.

You can view the exhibit during regular business hours (9am – 5pm) at SeaTac City Hall through the end of November.

And who knows? Maybe the real D.B. will check it out?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

According to The Seattle Times, Hollie Beston, 31, of Burien, was arrested along with her ex-husband, Brian Beston, 36, of Kent, for filming themselves raping their 4-year old daughter and sending photos of the abuse to a man in Southern California.

The two were arrested by Seattle Police last week after the FBI learned of the crime from the recipient of the photos, a man facing child-molestation charges in Southern California, said charging documents filed Wednesday in King County Superior Court.

The Times goes to on report that the Bestons have each been charged with:

• First-degree child rape
• First-degree child molestation
• Sexual exploitation of a minor
• Depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct

Both are currently being held at the King County Jail on $500,000 bail each.

Some other amazingly unpleasant facts from this story:

• Police believe the Bestons abused the girl for several months.
• Hollie Beston is also accused of operating the camera and sending the images via a cellphone and the Internet.
• Police apparently searched the Bestons’ homes in Kent and Burien last week and confiscated computers, cameras, flash drives, cellphones and other electronics, court papers said.

The child was taken into custody by state Child Protective Services.

We did our own Google search for “Hollie Beston” and found a profile for her (direct link here), which includes some incredibly ironic statements like:

• “I am a fun loving and caring person.”
• “I have a problem with caring for people too much, which leads to people trying to use me.”
• “It is a lot of fun meeting new people but I am careful because I have a young one to take care of.”

Here’s exact wording from her Google Profile:

Hollie Beston

Medical Assisting ; Student at Kaplan University
Burien, Washington

Interests:
Traveling, astrology, baking some, reading, swimming, going for walks…

I am a fun loving and caring person. I love to goof off and raising my child. I graduate in August but will be done with classes in the middle of march then plan on continuing my education by going for my RN. I have a problem with caring for people too much, which leads to people trying to use me. I enjoy doing a variety of things and have hopes and dreams that will someday come true. It is a lot of fun meeting new people but I am careful because I have a young one to take care of.

Places I’ve lived
Golden Valley, AZ ; Lenoir, NC; Kent and Burien, WA

Read the full Times story here.

According to police, he entered the bank, gave a teller a demand note, got money, then took off.

No weapons were displayed and there were no injuries.

If this bad guy looks familiar, you are asked to contact the Seattle FBI immediately at (206) 622-0460.

UPDATE 2/13/09: Michele Smith, who runs the Vino Bello Wine Bar nearby, sent us this comment:

Didn’t this just happen?

Last Spring as I pulled up to open my shop, the block of 152nd and Ambaum was filled with King County Sherriff’s and Burien Police cars, the Key Bank was being robbed and officers were running up and down the sidewalks in riot gear with automatic weapons like on one of those cop shows you watch on TV.

And then it happened again yesterday, it’s pretty unnerving.

Isn’t this the 4th bank robbery in Burien is less than a year?

You’d think Burien might put more patrols out – just a thought.

Feds busted a major drug ring at this restaurant, the El Flamingo, in Boulevard Park last May.

Remember that major Boulevard Park drug bust last May at the El Flamingo Mexican Restaurant?

Wednesday, another man was sentenced for being part of a drug ring that was run out of said restaurant:

JAVIER GASTELUM-INZUNZA, 29, of Auburn, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years in prison and three years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.

GASTELUM-INZUNZA was arrested in May 2008, as part of “Operation Pink Tiger.” The operation took its name from the original target of the probe who went by the nickname “Tigre,” and the fact that cocaine was wrapped in distinctive pink cellophane.

GASTELUM-INZUNZA was found with more than $118,000 in cash at the time of his arrest. The money and two vehicles were forfeited to the government. U.S. District Judge James L. Robart imposed the sentence.

Alonso Rojo-Lopez, 21, of Burien, Washington, was sentenced last month to 46 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. Oscar Manuel Vargas-Feliz, 32, of Federal Way, Washington, was sentenced in October 2008, to 30 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. Gustavo Rojo-Melendez, 18, of Burien, Washington, was sentenced last month to 19 months in prison for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute.

This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved. The case was investigated by the King County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the FBI.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Boulevard Park Drug Leader Sentenced To 6 Years
• UPDATE: Drug Bust HQ Restaurant Is NOT In Burien
• Major Drug Bust Targets Burien Restaurant

Have you seen this man? Do you recognize him?

If you know or recognize him, you are asked to call the FBI immediately at (206) 622-0460.

Police say the suspect robbed the US Bank located at 14641 First Avenue on May 17, as well as the Key Bank at 655 Southwest 152 Street on June 7.

The Seattle division of the FBI said the man used a demand note in both cases and did not show or imply that he had a weapon.

SOURCE:

• KIRO-TV