A seventy-six-year-old man went door to door posing as a doctor offerring free breast exams . . . Man Posed As Doctor, Gave Free Breast Exams . . . students in my communication courses will recognize the use of the social influence Law of Power . . .

A 76-year-old man has been arrested after alleged victims said he told them he was a doctor and offered them free breast exams. Police said Philip Winikoff, 76, of Coconut Creek, went door-to-door, offering breast exams, and two women in Lauderdale Lakes took him up on the offer. Winikoff has been arrested and charged with a number of offenses, including two counts of sexual battery. One of the alleged victims, who just arrived to South Florida from Haiti, said she believes she fell victim because she is unaware of the country’s laws and cannot speak English that well. The woman said she was convinced by Winikoff that he was a legitimate physician and that he would give her a free breast exam for cancer, so she agreed until the exam went too far, NBC 6’s Sharon Lawson reported. “Unfortunately, the breast exams quickly turned into something much more than just that, and he’s now going to jail charged with two crimes, two charges of sexual battery,” said Hugh Graf, of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives said the alleged victim’s boyfriend contacted police after the incident, and Winikoff was arrested and charged. Police said he had already preyed on a second victim in the same area. The alleged victim said she is afraid he could strike again if he is released. Detectives said Winikoff could have victimized other women.

I am curious as to whether he merely identified himself as a doctor or if he had any bits to reinforce the illusion such as stethescope, white lab coat, or business cards or the like. I would also be curious as to whether or not he had any rapport building setups or just jumped in and the like. The article does not mention if anyone rejected his approach, only that two women accepted the “exam” pitch.