Cops X-out scam artist
March 26, 2008
A scam artist who claimed he worked for “The X” WXDX-FM (105.9) scammed nearly $2,000 from Pittsburgh-area residents by promising to turn over bogus “prizes.”
Pittsburgh police allege that Alan Carter McDonald, 58, of Baldwin Borough would tell victims that he could get them concert tickets, TVs and other prizes from WXDX if they would provide upfront cash for “shipping costs.”
Naturally, McDonald didn’t work for WXDX, and the 14 victims (who lost an average of $127 each) never got any prizes. Court records indicate that McDonald had used a similar scam years before, claiming to work for other radio stations.
According to the Post-Gazette, Allegheny County Judge David R. Cashman yesterday sentenced McDonald to two years’ probation and $1,775 restitution.
There’s no word on why the victims thought a 58-year-old former steel worker would be a promotions assistant at a rock radio station, but P.T. Barnum and W.C. Fields might be able to explain.
