Police in Hemet arrested two individuals on Sunday for allegedly running a fraudulent scheme to collect money for a non-existent child’s funeral. Marius Stan and Malvina Stan were reportedly seen panhandling at the intersection of Sanderson and Stetson avenues, soliciting donations from drivers with a poster of a boy they claimed had died in a traffic accident.
According to the Hemet Police Department, officers observed the suspects via surveillance cameras and stopped their vehicle on North Sanderson Avenue. Upon questioning, the Stans gave conflicting accounts about the child’s identity and death. Police discovered that the child’s photo was from a 2011 Romanian news article about a boy who had gone missing but was later found safe.
Further investigation revealed multiple forms of identification, EBT cards, and passports, suggesting a larger fraudulent operation. The couple was arrested and booked into Riverside County Jail on charges of obtaining money under false pretenses. As reported by KTLA, authorities continue to investigate the scope of the scheme.
The Hemet Police Department warns the public that such donation solicitations are often scams conducted by traveling thieves. Anyone who feels they are a victim of one of these schemes can call police at 800-273-8255.
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