Legal Definitions - pigeon drop

A pigeon drop, also known as a Jamaican switch, is an illegal scam where one person convinces the victim that they need help handling a large sum of money. The scammer may claim to have found the money or pretend to be an unsophisticated foreigner. They promise to share part of the money with the victim or ask for help finding a suitable charity to donate to.

Once the victim is convinced, another scammer appears and promises to assist if both the victim and the first scammer provide good-faith money. The intention is for the two scammers to leave with all the money, including the victim's.

For example, a scammer may approach an elderly person and claim to have found a bag of money on the street. They convince the victim to help them handle the money and promise to share it with them. Another scammer then appears and asks for good-faith money to help with the transaction. The scammers then disappear with all the money.

This type of scam is illegal and can result in serious consequences for those involved. It is important to be cautious and not trust strangers who approach you with offers that seem too good to be true.