Police: Man Scams Group of Nine with False Promises of Work

Arlington County police are investigating a scam in which a man promised work to a group of at least nine people over the weekend and then disappeared with some of their cash, IDs and Social Security numbers.

At about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the nine victims approached an officer near Ballston Common Mall to say they had been falsely promised work, according to information police released this week.

A man made them the promise and told them to pay him $55, plus a $12 "transfer fee," and to provide identification and their Social Security numbers, according to police.

They did, and were told to meet the man at the mall for orientation, but he did not show.

"We don't know exactly what the promises were," police Lt. Mike Watson told Patch. "At this point, we're just going from the initial investigation. More details may come out later."

The case could evolve into one of identity theft, depending on what the man does with the information he collected, Watson said.

Police believe the man could have more victims.

"Usually, if nine people come forward, I'm sure there's a lot more who haven't come forward," Watson said.

The man is described as being about 5-foot to 5-foot-2, weighing 140 to 160 pounds and bald with a thin mustache.

Investigators are asking anyone who believes they were part of this or any scam to call the Arlington County Police Department's non-emergency number at  703-558-2222.