NEW GLARUS - Police are urging everyone to remain vigilant against potential scams after a New Glarus resident was the victim of a fraudulent secret shopper drawing.
New Glarus Police Lieutenant Jeff Sturdevant said on Jan. 15 the village resident received a cashier's check for just under $2,000 and was asked to cash it before wiring $1,600 back to Indianapolis through a financial services company like MoneyGram or Western Union.
The rest of the money was to be winnings from a secret shopper drawing through Wal-Mart. Sturdevant said when the resident went to send money via Wal-Mart, workers there explained it was a scam but were ignored. The money was sent via Walgreens in Monroe instead.
About a week later, the resident's bank called to say the check was not valid. Police received a report of the incident Jan. 23.
Sturdevant said the person was embarrassed she had been taken advantage of and warned others against falling for similar scams. The resident lost $1,650 because of the stolen money and fees associated with it.
"Stuff like that means it's gone," Sturdevant said. "I always tell people if it's too good to be true, it usually is."
New Glarus Police do not have any leads on the people behind the scam. Sturdevant said in discussions with Monroe Police officers he was made aware of more than one similar fraud case against city residents in recent months. He stressed that the public should watch out for these and similar types of scams.
New Glarus Police Lieutenant Jeff Sturdevant said on Jan. 15 the village resident received a cashier's check for just under $2,000 and was asked to cash it before wiring $1,600 back to Indianapolis through a financial services company like MoneyGram or Western Union.
The rest of the money was to be winnings from a secret shopper drawing through Wal-Mart. Sturdevant said when the resident went to send money via Wal-Mart, workers there explained it was a scam but were ignored. The money was sent via Walgreens in Monroe instead.
About a week later, the resident's bank called to say the check was not valid. Police received a report of the incident Jan. 23.
Sturdevant said the person was embarrassed she had been taken advantage of and warned others against falling for similar scams. The resident lost $1,650 because of the stolen money and fees associated with it.
"Stuff like that means it's gone," Sturdevant said. "I always tell people if it's too good to be true, it usually is."
New Glarus Police do not have any leads on the people behind the scam. Sturdevant said in discussions with Monroe Police officers he was made aware of more than one similar fraud case against city residents in recent months. He stressed that the public should watch out for these and similar types of scams.