Girl Scout Cookies Become Center Of Money-Making Scheme
In news that is utterly bewildering, Girl Scout Cookies have become the center of a scheme focused on scamming people out of money.
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For over 100 years, Girl Scouts have ensured the success of the iconic annual cookie sale with a little help from their enthusiastic supporters. Along the way, they’ve had fun, developed valuable life skills, and made their communities a better place. Unfortunately, an unlikely duo decided to use the iconic organization as a front for a scam, dragging the ever-popular Girl Scout Cookie brand through the mud.
A daddy-daughter team from Long Island allegedly used the promise of Girls Scout Cookies to scam people out of money. The unidentified pair sparked an investigation into the cookie caper after almost a dozen residents complained about the swindle. According to the Suffolk County Police Department, the pair went door-to-door, taking money in advance with a promise to deliver at a later date. But customers never received their orders of the tasty treats, ABC 7 Eye Witness News reports.
Speaking to the publication, Patchogue resident Kevin Zasowski said he ordered cookies from a child who was about 6 years old after she approached him at his home. He gave her $20 for four boxes of Girl Scout Cookies while the man, who he said was her father, stayed on the street. “It’s not the money. It’s not the cookies. It’s what this gentleman is teaching his daughter,” Zasowski explained. “A life of crime. The real victim is that little girl.”
Police now believe the Girl Scout Cookie scam stretched across at least seven Long Island communities. So far, the department has received 11 reports of cookie fraud from residents in Lake Ronkonkoma, Bohemia, Shirley, North Patchogue, East Patchogue, Mastic, and St. James. All the victims said they gave money for cookies that were never delivered, with the transactions taking place between June 18th and 20th.
In some cases, the money was handed to the man accompanied by a female child. In others, only the child was present. More than half of the reports made were for documentation purposes only, police told the New York Post Like Kevin Zasowski, victims have said they aren’t overly worried about losing money. They are more concerned about the welfare of the young girl. “It breaks my heart,” Michael Lewis, who has a 9-year-old daughter in the Girl Scouts, said. His daughter was crushed to learn someone was exploiting the beloved cookies.
Following the incident, The Girl Scout Council of Suffolk County released a statement saying it was saddened to learn that somebody would use the inherent goodwill of the Girl Scouts to take money from their neighbors under false pretenses. “The Girl Scout cookie season is a limited period each year. Typically, it begins just before New Year’s and ends at the end of April or early May. Anyone selling cookies at this point in the year is not representing our council and its efforts,” the statement via NBC New York said.
The group added that it was working with law enforcement and encouraged anyone who feels they have been victimized to reach out. Girl Scout Cookies will also be delivered to those who placed bogus orders because nothing is more disappointing than not getting your treats. However, it’s still unclear if the young girl knew she was scamming donors.
