HUPD Seeks Student Aid in Con Artist Case

Harvard Police yesterday asked students to help find two area conartists who have bilked at least four female Asian students out of hundreds of dollars.

Police have been searching for the suspects, a Black man and a Black woman, since they were first reported by Cambridge residents in the summer, Lt. John F. Rooney said.

The two con artists operate in Somerville and Cambridge, but mostly around Harvard Square. All six reported cases have involved Asian females, four of whom are Harvard undergraduates.

The most recent case was reported to Harvard detectives yesterday afternoon.

"We're tracking it and we want to put an end to it," Rooney said. "But we need the help of the community."

Police said the con-artists tell the victimsthey have found a check for $4500 on the street.They ask the victim to deposit the check in herbank account, and to split the cash with them ifit clears.

The suspects then ask for a $500 payment incash as a sign of goodwill that the victim willnot keep all the money for herself. The studentwithdraws the money from a bank machine and handsit over to the suspects.

"They are very, very good," said DetectiveRichard P. DeCruz. "They are professionals."

Witnesses descrbe the woman as 5-foot, 6-inchestall and about 40 years old, with short hair. Theman is 6 feet tall, aged 30 to 35, and has a thinmustache. Both are well-dressed.

Rooney asked students to get the license platenumber of the car if approached by the con artistsand to report the incident immediately

Police said the con-artists tell the victimsthey have found a check for $4500 on the street.They ask the victim to deposit the check in herbank account, and to split the cash with them ifit clears.

The suspects then ask for a $500 payment incash as a sign of goodwill that the victim willnot keep all the money for herself. The studentwithdraws the money from a bank machine and handsit over to the suspects.

"They are very, very good," said DetectiveRichard P. DeCruz. "They are professionals."

Witnesses descrbe the woman as 5-foot, 6-inchestall and about 40 years old, with short hair. Theman is 6 feet tall, aged 30 to 35, and has a thinmustache. Both are well-dressed.

Rooney asked students to get the license platenumber of the car if approached by the con artistsand to report the incident immediately