Attempted Theft by Deception, Ellis

DATE & TIME: July 11-19, 2017 / Various Times                 

LOCATION: Ellis, Nebraska  

OFFENSE: Attempted Theft by Deception (E-mail Scam/Fraud)

CASE #: 2017-3956   

A business owner in Ellis, Nebraska contacted the Gage County Sheriff’s Office wanting to report a scam to a sheriff’s office investigator.

The business owner reports she made an online sale, which is part of her regular business, but she does not ship out the product until the client’s check has cleared.  The suspect made an online purchase of over $300.00, however when the check for the product arrived, it was for over $2,300.00.  The business owner immediately became suspicious, especially when follow-up e-mail contact from the client/suspect asked the business owner to deposit the check and return the extra $2,000.00 to her.  The suspect stated the check amount was an error and she would send her information on where to send the extra money, once the check was cashed.

The investigator confirmed the business owner was being scammed and that the check was not valid, because the financial tracking information on the check did not conform to regular banking format.  At this time, the business owner has not lost any money and did not lose any merchandise in this transaction.  She was cautioned to watch her banking and financial accounts and her mail for possible fraudulent accounts opened without her knowledge or permission.  She was also advised to contact her corporate offices and notify them of the attempted theft/scam which involved their website.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office urges citizens to be prudent and cautious in dealing with online transactions or situations that seem to be too good to be true or just do not make sense.  Anyone with a suspicious incident or possible scam should call their local police department or call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310