Two Princeton businesses fell victim to a scammer posing as a fire extinguisher inspector who collected money on the spot for “inspecting” fire extinguishers in the stores, according to the Princeton Police Department.
In the first incident, the scammer walked into the Dunkin Donuts store on Nassau Street between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on March 23, announced that he was a fire extinguisher inspector from Metro Fire Prevention in Trenton, and “inspected” the fire extinguishers, police said. He collected $378.35 in cash from a store employee and left.
The victim told police the inspector was a heavy-set white man who was about 6 feet, 2 inches tall, and bald. He was wearing khaki-colored pants, a polo-style shirt and a black baseball cap.
Small World Coffee around the corner on Witherspoon Street also was victimized by a man who claimed to be a fire extinguisher inspector. He “inspected” the fire extinguishers and presented a statement for $476.70, which he collected in cash from a store employee.
The man was described as a heavy-set white man who stood about 6 feet tall. He had short dark hair that was shaved, and brown eyes. He was wearing a brown sweatshirt that lacked company markings.
Police said “Metro Fire Prevention” is a fictitious business, as is the Trenton address that the man gave to the store employees.
Police are asking for anyone who has been a victim of this scam or who has information about it to call Det. Sgt. Ben Gering at 609-921-2100, ext. 1840, or Det. Adam Basatemur at 609-921-2100, ext. 2170.
