04 April Scams
04.29 The victim stated that she received a call from someone who claimed to be Xcel Energy. The phone number 651-229-2548 came back not on file and was most likely a scam call. The caller requested her name, address and the phone number that was on file with the company. The caller stated that they would be over to the house in the next thirty minutes to take the meter from the house. She ended the phone call and was concerned someone would show up to her house. On arrival, I talked with her and advised them that the call was most likely a scam call. She had already called Xcel Energy to verify that the company did not call them about their meter.
04.28 The victim reported that she had used the website oliviasbassethoundpuppies.com to attempt to purchase a puppy. She reported that she had been communicating with a male named Nicholas Roberson to arrange the sale. She advised me that she had transferred $800 using Zelle to pay for the puppy on 04/25/23. She stated that she had then made further payment for the puppy by purchasing apple gift cards for the business with a total value of $3800 on 04/26/23 and 04/27/23. She reported that the business was believed to be located in Montana and that the dog was to be shipped to her and arrive on 04/27/23. She reported that the puppy had not arrived on 04/27/23 and that when she contacted the business they had requested she pay an additional $1000 prior to them shipping the dog. She reported that at this time she became concerned that the entire purchase of the puppy had been fraudulent and reported the incident to Wells Fargo where she banks and had used Zelle for the initial transaction.
April 25 - The victim reported that he had received a letter from the United States Small Business Administration advising him that he was behind on two installments for a COVID EIDL loan. The letter noted that the total value of these unpaid installments had been $342.00. He reported that he had never applied for the loan and had no information about it. He reported that he did not have any details on when the loan had been applied for or the value of the loan. He stated that he had contacted the SBA regarding the issue and they had been able to confirm that he was not the person who had obtained the loan however, they requested that the incident be documented in a police report before they could assist him further.
April 24 - Snapchat Scam: The caller stated he was speaking to a female that he did not personally know on Snapchat named Anna Christian. He stated they exchanged nude photos and the female was threatening to share his photos with all of his friends unless he gave them $200.00. He stated he had not sent any money but he was afraid that his personal photos would be shared with all of his contacts, which would include some underage kids. I advised him to report the account as fraud on Snapchat and I advised him to block them and delete them from his contacts. He was also advised to delete his own account if he felt it was necessary to prevent them from accessing his contacts and friends list.
April 21, 2023 - Home Repair Scam: The victim reported getting a roof inspection by Smart Builders Group, Inc in August of 2022. The inspection was completed by Preston White. Earlier this month, White returned to do the work which included a roof replacement, windows replacement, new gutters and new facia. On 04-13-23, the victim gave a personal check to White for $34,101.95. White requested the check be addressed to Pure Construction, Inc as this is the new company he works for. The victim would later learn from Wells Fargo that the check was cashed immediately. On 04-17-23, White completed the roof and clean-up. The windows, gutters and facia were not replaced and he is not responding to her emails, etc. She contacted the MN Labor Department and learned that White does not have a contractor’s license and should not be operating as such.