MCSO  logo_0The reporting party said that they placed an ad on craigslist to sell their vehicle.  About 2 weeks later, the reporting party received a text message from a buyer “an unknown person” wanting to purchase their vehicle.  The buyer texted him to expect a check in the mail and then a tow company will pick up the vehicle.  The buyer conveyed that the check with be the asking price of $1,300 and include money to pay the tow company when they arrive.  The reporting party said within a few days they received a $3,200 check inside a priority mail envelope from a Robert Glatzer at Medina Electric Coop Inc. in Hondo Texas.  The reporting party said they texted the phone number back and told the buyer that the check was for too much.  The buyer texted back and told him it was to cover the towing and an extra $50 for him, then to western union the rest back to the buyer when the check cleared.  The reporting party deposited the check into his checking account.  The buyer then began texting and asking when he was sending the balance to him via western union.  The reporting party texted that he was informed by his bank that it would take a week before the check cleared.  Later, the reporting party learned from his bank that the check was no good and he was charged a $12 bounced check fee.  Deputies contacted a representative at Medina Electric Coop Inc. in Hondo Texas.  The representative advised that they have received several phone calls and email complaints from several people regarding receiving bad checks with their companies return address.  The representative further advised that they have received numerous priority mail envelopes as return to sender.  The representative said that they don’t have a billing account for priority mail.  Deputies received a copy of the bounced check which had an account name of Modern Gallery in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.  Deputies contacted the name holder on that account and he said his account has been closed because he has had dozens of checks attempt to be cashed through his account.  Investigations further determined that this scam originated out of the United States.

The second scam is where the victim said that she received a call from a Lieutenant Tommy Daniels with the Wants and Warrants Division and he advised her that she has two warrants for her arrest for failure to show up for jury duty.  The Lieutenant provided her with the warrant numbers. The Lieutenant said she could pay the fines using a “Green Dot Money Pak” card.  The Lieutenant advised that the fines were $500 for each warrant.  The victim said that she purchased two Green Dot Money Pak cards for $500 each plus a service fee at the store.  The victim further said that she returned home and called the Lieutenant back at (928) 202-6731.  The victim advised that she scratched off the back of the cards and provided the Lieutenant with the access code to each card.  The Lieutenant said that she should save the cards as proof of payment and that she needed to go to the court on Spring Street in Kingman on 5/15/2014 and see Judge Julie Roth and the warrants would be dismissed.  Investigations determined the phone number (928-202-6731) is a routing number and the person involved is not located in the United States.  A check via dispatch revealed that the victim did not have any warrants for her arrest.

The last two scams are ongoing re-occurring scams: 

A Kingman resident reported receiving a telephone call about their relative being in jail and needing money.  The Kingman resident called their relative and their relative was home.  Furthermore, their relative hasn’t traveled outside of the area for many, many years.

Often Mohave County residents are notified of winning some type of lottery, inheritance and even the Publisher’s Clearing House.  In most cases, these scammers are using the same method by requesting you to send them money in order to receive your winnings.  Do not send money.  At times, these scammers will pressure and even threaten the person into sending them money.

These incidents are believed to be scams and the Sheriff’s Office would like to caution residents. If you suspect fraud, contact your local law enforcement office.