Published on: June 1, 2026, 06:16h.
Updated on: June 1, 2026, 06:16h.
- Miami con artist charged with theft of cash and Rolex through a shell game
- Victims reportedly lost thousands participating in a time-tested street scam
- Shell games are virtually impossible for players to win due to sleight of hand
A street con artist in Miami is in legal trouble after deceiving innocent bystanders into parting with thousands using one of the oldest tricks in the trade blended with psychological manipulation.
On May 27, Alexander Bustillo was taken into custody with a bag full of $17,000. He stands accused of tricking unsuspecting individuals through the “shell” or “cup-and-ball” game, a ruse employed to swindle oblivious victims for centuries, still thriving in 2026.
Two complainants approached the authorities after losing substantial amounts of money on April 30 and May 14. One individual was coaxed into wagering $4,000 while another lost a total of $4,000 alongside a Rolex valued at $7,000.
The Art of Deception
A shell game—also known as Three-Card Monte (or Find the Lady)—is a classic short con, appearing deceptively simple at first glance.
Participants are tasked with identifying a ball beneath one of three cups or locating the “money card” among three face-down cards. However, due to the scammer’s sleight of hand, players have no chance of winning.
The winning ball or card is often discreetly palmed, swapped, or manipulated, rendering mere observation inadequate for victory.
Typically, accomplices pose as players, winning to create a façade of a legitimate gambling experience.
In the incident on May 14, police reported that Bustillo and a team of three others lured the victim and his girlfriend into participating. When the girlfriend initially won $100, it incited further betting excitement.
After a shill placed a $4,000 bet on the clearly wrong cup and lost, the girlfriend’s confidence prompted her boyfriend to gamble $2,000 based on her hunch, which he subsequently lost. Bustillo then encouraged him to wager his Rolex, assuring that if he won, he’d receive $15,000; if he lost, the watch would be his.
Psychological Manipulation
At this juncture, Bustillo briefly diverted his attention, allowing a shill to covertly reveal the ball’s location, creating an illusion of insight.
Believing he had pinpointed the correct cup, the victim surrendered his watch to Bustillo and made his choice. Despite his certainty, when the cup was lifted, the ball was nowhere to be found.
The victim indicated to the police that he attempted to negotiate the return of his watch, but unsuccessful, reached out to law enforcement.
Authorities later located Bustillo in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood along with his bag of cash. A search of his residence uncovered a firearm, numerous pieces of jewelry, and four luxury watches.