On 21 Feb, 2005, at 09:52, Wilma de Soto wrote:
Doesn't the Police Department have what they used to call a "Bunco Squad"
anymore, or is that just for business-type scams?
[Originally, "Bunco Squads" were those who raided speak-easies and "dice" (Bunco) [i.e. gambling] parlors. This activity evolved into general anti-fraud activities with the end of prohibition, mostly focused on high-dollar crimes.]
While street "flim-flam" or "3-card-monte" operations still flourish, they don't seem to generate enough headlines on the six-o'clock news to warrant significant attention. (One hears more about them from Penn's Police Department, than the Philadelphia Police.)
Today, I would guess that except for the DA's or SAG's Office (when the occupant is running for Mayor or Governor), there is very little interest in any kind of anti-fraud investigation and prosecutions -- business type or otherwise.
Street flim-flam and similar activities are what have come to be called "Quality of Life Crimes." No one is killed or injured, only their wallets are emptied, usually willingly, so Police and the DA spend their time persuing "more important" crimes, like murders.
T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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