Guard your ATM: Scam artists at work

Crime tip: If someone asks you to withdraw money from your ATM and hand it over, they're probably no

Police are warning residents to beware of pigeon drop" scams that have left some unsuspecting League City residents a little poorer lately when they were persuaded to hand over cash from their ATMs.
League City police said there have been five incidents in the last few months, mostly near banks on West FM 646. Most victims have said they were conned by two black men around 30 years old, one with a heavy "African" accent.
Here's how the con typically works:
A man casually approaches his victim asking for directions and then convinces him to give him a lift.
Once in the car, the suspect pulls out a large sum of cash and protests his distrust of banks.
At some point the suspect will introduce the second suspect to the victim in a seemingly random encounter. Sometimes this introduction can take place miles away from where victim met the first suspect.
The second suspect will reassure the first suspect that banks can be trusted. Both suspects then ask the victim to drive them to a bank or ATM.
To show the first suspect that people can be trusted, the second suspect will give the victim money and then leave the victim unattended. Once they return, the suspects will then ask the victim if he can be trusted. The victim proves his or her trustworthiness by giving money to the suspect, who walks away with a promise to return but never does.
Anyone with information about this investigation are encouraged to call the League City Police Department at 281-338-8210.