scam Archives - Page 4 of 8

Police Report Jason Aldean Concert Ticket Scam

The seller used credible payment sources and promised delivery through a common ticket vendor.

February 6, 2020

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WEST FARGO, N.D.–The West Fargo Police Department has received reports of a scam involving the sale of Jason Aldean concert tickets. Two victims say they purchased tickets from a private seller. After providing payment through an online payment system, the victims were blocked from contacting the seller and did not receive the tickets. The seller used credible payment sources and…

Grafton Police Warn of Ransom Scam

The sole purpose of a ransom scam is to extort money.

January 29, 2020

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GRAFTON, N.D.–The Grafton Police Department issued a warning about scammers claiming to have kidnapped children and grandchildren in order to get money. Police describe the scammer as a man with a Hispanic accent who is immediately aggressive and demanding. This person threatens to harm the child or grandchild if certain demands are not met. The North Dakota Attorney General’s Office…

Xcel Energy Scam Targets Local Businesses

Xcel Energy says the scammers are also targeting the elderly.

November 20, 2019

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FARGO, N.D.–The Fargo Police Department became aware of a scam involving Xcel Energy Wednesday morning. Fargo Police say they heard from multiple local businesses claiming they received calls that appeared to be from Xcel Energy. The scammers threatened to disrupt services if the businesses didn’t pay within a certain time period. Xcel Energy says the scammers are also targeting the…

Cass County Sheriff Warns Public of Phone Scam

The Sheriff's Office is not aware of anyone that has fallen victim to the scam.

November 14, 2019

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CASS COUNTY, N.D.–The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is informing the public of a scam sweeping through the F-M area. The Sheriff’s Office says scammers are “spoofing” their phone number and making it look as if phone calls are coming from a legitimate source. One individual told the Sheriff’s Office the scammer advised them that they were from the Social Security…

Jamaican Lottery Scam Victim Waiting for Full Restitution

As of now, Edna has only received three checks totaling $287.

November 11, 2019

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HARVEY, N.D. – A 90-year-old woman who was scammed out of her life savings by a Jamaican lottery scam wants all of her $400,000 back. Edna Schmeets, of Harvey, was the victim whose case launched what became the first large-scale Jamaican lottery scam case prosecuted in the U.S. All 31 defendants have been prosecuted, including 14 Jamaican nationals who were…

Moorhead Public Service Warns of Phone Scam

Numerous customers have contacted MPS claiming they received these suspicious phone calls.

October 3, 2019

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MOORHEAD, Minn.–Moorhead Public Service is warning customers of a payment scam in which individuals call attempting to collect payment from MSP customers. Numerous customers have contacted MPS claiming they received these suspicious phone calls. MPS uses automated messages for its collection process and past due balances, but it does not demand direct payment over the phone. MPS is urging anyone…

Bismarck Woman Loses $98,000 in Phone Scam

The 78-year-old woman overnighted cash to the fake company several times.

September 16, 2019

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BISMARCK, N.D.–Police say a Bismarck woman has lost $98,000 in a scam by a caller who claimed his company had deposited too much money into her account. Officer Lynn Wanner says the 78-year-old woman overnighted cash to the fake company several times. Wanner says the caller told the woman there was a mistake with deposits made into her account and…

Scam Involves Person Acting As Special Agent On Behalf of IRS

The caller is told a federal warrant is out for his or her arrest unless a fine is paid

September 4, 2019

TJ Nelson,

MOORHEAD, Minn. — A new scam alert from Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting. He says the scam involves a person claiming to be a Special Agent Josh Penn. The scammer claims he is working on behalf of the IRS and that your bank account was used to set up illegal bank accounts for drug cartels in Texas. The caller is…

Scammers Use Local Numbers to Reach Victims

Gift cards and reload cards are now the number one reported method of payment for imposter scams

August 14, 2019

Site Staff,

FARGO, N.D. — A woman receives a call from the Fargo Police Department’s phone number asking her to pay for fines with gift cards. But police say it’s a scam. Scammers using spoof devices to call victims from a local phone number demanding payment is becoming more common. According to the FTC, gift cards and reload cards are now the…

Woman Involved In Jamaican Lottery Scam Is Sentenced To Prison

At least 90 Americans lost over $5.7 million in the scheme which funneled money between the U.S. and Jamaica

July 10, 2019

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, ND — It’s sentencing day for a Rhode Island woman convicted in North Dakota as part of a major lottery fraud. Judge Daniel Hovland sentenced Melinda Bulgin of Providence to four years in prison and restitution of around $330,000. At least 90 Americans lost over $5.7 million in the scheme which funneled money between the U.S. and Jamaica. The…