What's the alternative, though? If the police can't get cooperation from the would-be victim ahead of time, they can only investigate after the crime is committ

What's the alternative, though? If the police can't get cooperation from the would-be victim ahead of time, they can only investigate after the crime is committed, which will never be as effective as organizing a sting at the drop point. Other options I can think of: - Blanket the city in cameras so you can track the scammer after they collect the money. - Create and operate honeypot numbers and hope the scammer calls one of them. - Hope the scammer makes a mistake that allows you to identify them (such as using their own cell phone).