A woman impersonating a state inspector has been apprehended in Central Havana following numerous reports of her fraudulent activities targeting private businesses. The news was shared on Facebook by the pro-government profile "El Cubano Fiel." The alleged inspector had managed to evade capture for an extended period, utilizing fake documents and threats of fines to extort self-employed workers.
Elaborate Extortion Scheme
According to the report, the woman would enter private establishments, presenting herself as an inspector with a fake ID, fine books, and official regulations citing self-employment norms. Exploiting the fear of potential penalties, she demanded money in exchange for not imposing supposed regulatory fines. Her scheme impacted several businesses until the workers decided to take action.
They organized by creating a WhatsApp group to share images of the scammer, aiming to alert each other and contact the police if she appeared again. This strategy proved successful. On Saturday, June 21, she attempted to extort workers at a business located on Figura Street, between Monte and Tenerife. This time, the employees stood firm, refusing to pay and immediately called the police.
Faced with the workers' resolute stance, the woman tried to flee. She was caught by plainclothes officers at the intersection of Belascoaín and Tenerife, where she was arrested and taken to the Zanja police station. "If you were a victim of this scammer, you know where to go to file your complaint," the official source concluded, although notably, the woman's face and identity were not revealed. As of the article's conclusion, no further details about the case have been disclosed.
Questions About the Central Havana Scam
How was the fake inspector finally caught?
The fake inspector was caught when workers at a business refused to pay her and called the police, leading to her arrest by plainclothes officers.
What methods did the scammer use to extort money?
The scammer used fake identification, fine books, and official regulations to threaten workers with fines, demanding money to avoid these penalties.