Funny money in Tampa

By: Melanie Brooks

Tampa, Florida – We’ve heard it a million times. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

But, in today’s economy, that still doesn’t stop people from believing in the impossible. Finding the deal of the century. It is wishing thinking.

And, a trio of scam artists in Tampa, knows this all too well.

Three Liberian Nationals were making promises they couldn’t keep, telling people they could actually copy cash and get twice the amount back.

Those are the magic words, “double your money.” And, folks believed it. But, the way these men were promising to get more money, was ridiculous.

Detective Fred Naranjo described the process, ”Basically he’s putting the money in between [these pieces of white paper], and telling you this chemical will make [the paper] turn into money.”

That’s right. This is no joke. The men actually told people, by dipping hundred dollar bills wrapped in white paper, into a solution, it would copy the cash. Basically, a form of counterfeiting.

“Nothing for nothing is nothing,” Naranjo said. “You’re not going to be able to do something like that.”

36-year-old John T. Davis, 33-year-old Sekou Doukoure and 32-year-old Siaka Sah Kamara were charged with felonies and booked in the Orient road jail. Cops seized computers and, of course, cash from the hotel room.

The men picked out their victims in the most unsuspecting places. Nightclubs, bars, restaurants. And, they looked the part, well-dressed, even staying in high-priced rooms at the Marriott Waterside in downtown Tampa.

Police call this common scam, the “pigeon drop” or the “wash-wash”.

These guys used a solution that can only be described as “laughable”. They said the special formula to copy money was made up of Coca-Cola, ammonia and iodine. After the “counterfeiting” process, the men gave their victims a wad of cash, wrapped in black duct tape, telling them not to open it for six hours, so the chemical would work.

Six hours later, the guys were gone.

Secret Service special agent John Seybold, also involved in the bust, offered some advice for free. “Folks, the bottom line is, don’t, don’t, don’t get involved in this.”

Police wrapped up this case in just 48 hours. They got a tip from someone, sent in undercover agents and arrested the guys.

If you’ve been a victim of this scam, Tampa police want to hear from you. You will not be prosecuted.