So how could it be a scam? How could what be a scam? No doubt this woman stole something and tried to return it for cash.
Parking lot and roofing scams involve low bidding for a job, getting some money down, then leaving town.
Gypsies are notorious for these kinds of things.
Has this woman been identified as being a "gypsy"? Is that what she is? I heard that her family had been interviewed and had stated to the authorites that this woman and the child had left the state. Is the family a "gypsy" family?