Full Notification

ATTENTION NIXLE CRIME SOLVERS - SCAM ALERT

The Wisconsin Rapids Police Department needs your help and wants to warn you so you won't become the next victim.

A Wisconsin Rapids resident is out $1,000.00 because of a scam. A resident listed a snowmobile for sale on Craig's List, and a "buyer" contacted our victim, they agreed on an amount of $800.00 and a check was mailed. The seller received check, which had a Texas return address and was written for $1,000.00 over the amount of the snowmobile asking price, which was to pay the movers to pick up the snowmobile.

The victim attempted to cash the check at a local retail store but was denied, so the victim and then deposited the check into his savings account.

On January 25th two men then showed up at his house around 12:00 in the afternoon to pick up the snowmobile. One man was described as being Hispanic and the other male as possibly being Native American. The victim stated these men were driving a Chevy conversion van, which was brown in color with tan striping. He stated the van was also very rusty and had a loud exhaust, he did not know what the plate number was, but knew it was a temporary plate on the back of the van. He also recalled that there was a dream catcher hanging from the rearview mirror, whitewall tires, a ladder on the back door that went to the roof of the van and a spare tire on the other half with a Chevy symbol on the cover, a bug shield, part of the grille was missing on the driver’s side of the van and there was possibly a peace sign on the rear passenger-side window.

The snowmobile obviously would not fit so they two men said they would have to rent a trailer and would be back. They collected $1,000.00 moving fee and never returned.

Now, the victim is out $1,000.00 because it was not a real check.

At least he still has the snowmobile.

Before anyone gets on the “how could anyone fall for this" train, realize these scam criminals have done this before and will keep doing this until they get caught, and are most likely not even from our area. They can be very convincing or they would not attempt this type of scam.

Because of the description of the van, we have a start to attempting to locate these criminals.

If you have any information about this crime or any other crime you can text Wood County Crime Stoppers at: 274637 and start your message with WCCS. You can go to the Wood County Crime Stoppers web site: www.woodcountycrimestoppers.com and web a tip or call 1-877-325-7867. You can remain anonymous on any of the tip options and still receive a reward up to $1000. WRPD Incident # 2015-1755

Updated for the Correct amount of money they victim was out.