www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Wrote this up a minute ago, but it didn't go through, so I'll cut to the chase. Been to CR several times and am aware of scammers, although they are usually Costa Rican. It's easy to let your guard down a bit when speaking with fellow Americans. Today I got scammed by a guy that claims he is American (and seemed in every way to be one). His name is Randy Zapporoli and he approached me in the food court at Mall San Pedro with a believable story (seemed exactly like something a newbie might do). Instead of re-writing my story, let me give you a couple of posts from another board detailing similar experience with this guy.

"Met Randy in Costa Rica. He gave me his phone numbers home and business but I lost them. I loaned him some money and would like to contact him to let hin know where to send the money I lent him. Not much only 50 dollars. He said he was broke as he was robbed in a park on the way to a hotel. Carrying all his suitcases with him and his passport. Could not receive any funds via Western Union as he could not receive the funds without ID. He supposedly lives in Boca Raton and has a meat business in Ft. Lauderdale. Any info appreciated. This message is for anybody that knows Randy Zapporoli."

"Man this guy is a sleez-ball I talked with him for almost a hour in the san pedro mall in San Jose and he seemed so ignorant and arrogant I really believed he has a stranded American. I am a college student and gave him over 100 bucks which was over a 1/4 of my money.. He told me he was staying in Playa Flamingo which is ironically where I am staying and thus thought I would be able to call him out on it. He really screwed me. Watch out, he is the best lier I have ever met."

"Randy Zapporoli whose real name is Randolph A. Gonzalez, age 49, Caucasian White, 5’9”, he has a tattoo with his name “Randy” on the right arm, he is a very smooth talker but he can be very violent. Zapporoli was born in Costa Rica although in his stories he would say that he is a New York-born Italian and war veteran. Her mother worked as a prostitute and he was given up for adoption at St. Agatha's Home in New York. He approaches US nationals with this false story or asking for help to get to Lion’s Club in order to get your money. He is wanted for sex assault, false imprisonment, aggravated battery/domestic violence, extortion, second-degree grand theft and distribution of controlled substances."

The guy showed me his American Airline return ticket (dated 3/29/12) and a small cut on his finger that he said came from a tranny's knife. Most of his story to me matched up with the info provided above about getting jumped in the park between the DR and the Holiday Inn. I gave the guy 15,000 colones ($30). It was one of those situations where I felt uneasy, but also didn't want to leave the guy stranded if he was telling the truth. He was looking for $80, but got $30 from me. Could have been worse. Besides, scammers at the DR can con you out of much more than that!

So, guys, beware of this guy. I lost $30 and my time at the Mall (cut my trip short to give him a ride back to centro).

They have written about this guy a few times on AM Cosa Rica online newspaper.
Red

I'm not cold hearted or anything but I never believe any of these sob stories you get on the street. It's 99% scams. I can't see how somebody would go to another country without a safety net, a way to get back home.

Agreed. Let the dude make a phone call for help. If he has absolutely no one at home who cares about him and cannot arrange a hotel room or way home from abroad ... well there has got to be a reason for that.

I myself was stranded due to a missed flight in Colombia for 9 days. Naturally I had a safety net and other options as well. Perhaps I am a little cold hearted because I just do not have a lot of compassion for idiots.


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--==xpatriot==--

I would advise him the same as I would advise a girl that I don't know who told me they need money... "Go blow somebody".

Really, I have no patience for dead beats. I swept parking lots for a dollar an hour 32 years ago and cleaned toilets and kitchens in vacant rentals for a job. Let these mf's do the same.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

A degree of suspicion is always advisable when encountering needy "fellow Americans" in a foreign country. (especially the ones trying to sell you real estate. )

Agree with all of you

The point is this is not a legit guy down on his luck, or the victim of a robbery, or whatever - this asshole is a con man, plain and simple - and I hate those assholes - from this jerk, to the old cunt by the HDR "collecting" for wayward girls (seriously; saw her in Jan) to the tall, stupid drugged out "Howdy Doody" looking asshole who looks American - speaks perfect english - was giving "MP Tours" last year; did not see him last trip - that tells you he needs $$ - even the "1 coin" fuckers I'd like to vaporize.....well you get the point.

Most of us are decent people and we don't think like criminals (that's what con men are) - but I take the attitude than anyone who approaches me on the street, engages me in unwanted/unsolisited conversation's ultimate aim (in 99% of the cases) is to separate me from my money.

The guy's not a deadbeat, he's a criminal (but I'm w/ you - I hate deadbeats too) - a deadbeat refuses to pay a legitamate bill - a con man is a criminal - and in many ways worse than other criminals b/c they make their victims lose a bit of their trust and humanity.

Es

"A degree of suspicion is always advisable when encountering needy "fellow Americans" in a foreign country. (especially the ones trying to sell you real estate."

Yes, I would never trust a gringo selling real estate in C.R. In fact, I wouldn't trust anyone selling real estate in Costa Rica. There are much better ways to go.....even though eventually you have to go through the untrustworthy Costa Rican lawyers to pass title. If I move some day, I'll probably just rent. Gringos and Canadians have ruined the real estate markets anyway by overpaying and establishing mini U.S. barrios all over the place.

There is another scammer working the streets, I met her, blond hair young...kinda cute gringa showing her tits, in the Estacion de Autobus Carbi while I was waiting for a non-pro friend to arrive.....

Here is her scam.....Oh...sir...I heard you speaking English....my husband and I lost my husband somewhere in San Jose and I don't know where I am or where he is......We just moved here and live in San Antonio de Belen......but I can't remember how to get there...or how to get on a bus...can you help me with $50.00 taxi fare and I will send you the money back on paypal or western union.

My response....oh you poor thing....there are many ATM's in San Jose and right over there is a bank....

Oh...kind sir....I don't have my purse of any of my credit cards with me.

My response.....well in about 30 minutes my "NOVIA" will be here and we can share a taxi to La Sabana....it's on the way to Carari....

Her response... Where is Carari?

Me.... Hummm...pretty close to where you live.

Her....please sir I just need the $50.00....I desperate..

Me....how desperate?

Her....never mind....with a little smile...

Me....to her....Next...

Nothing good ever comes from people approaching you on the street or in public places. I don't even listen or give the chance to tell their story. Just a no...

Walk away and do not engage anyone approaching you on the street.

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BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

Simple and sage advice.

Remember that 70's NYC saying, Don't make eye contact... It applies here to the crazies. If you as much as say just about anything more than "No", you can be the target of these people your entire stay.

They do this 12 hours a day and can sense and read any reaction you give them so the best reaction is as little as possible.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

I just love your response, Rascal,"How desperate?" Spoken like a true monger. Was she worth $50?

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Similar scam almost happened to me in Miami - but it was a well dressed older lady - she approached me in Coral Gables, said she had beeb robbed, they stole her purse, money, keys, and she needed $50 to get home to Aventura (its abot a 25 min - or longer cab ride and $50 may or may not have covered it) -

While I suspected a scam, I said I have some time, I'll take you there personally - no, she replied, if you could just give me the money for the cab....

I said, (Word for word) sorry you phucking old cunt, do I truly look that stupid - she walked away.

About 2 weeks later, I'm walking in Coconut Grove with some co workers - the same women comes up again, same story, and I said remember me?????? She walked away - true story.