Eau Claire police are alerting the public of recent fraud cases after helping recover $32,000 in one of the cases.
EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) – Eau Claire police are alerting the public of recent fraud cases after helping recover $32,000 in one of the cases.
The Eau Claire Police Department said on Thursday, officers were called to assist with an Anoka County missing persons case.
The missing person was located at a hotel in Eau Claire. Officers later learned this missing person came to Eau Claire to pay $32,000 to who they thought was an agent with the FBI.
After the money was transferred, the victim learned this was a scam and reported it. They victim also gave a description of the suspect.
While officers were talking to hotel staff, the suspect walked into the lobby.
Officers contacted the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Chetankumar Patel, and recovered the $32,000.
Mugshot of Chetankumar Patel
Patel was taken into custody and is charged with felony theft by false representation.
In a similar case that unfolded the same week, ECPD was told of a fraud complaint after a tip came in from a local bank. The customer lost about $60,000 in cash after an alleged “currier” came to the victim’s apartment to pick up the money.
In this case, the victim said it started with an email asking them to renew their anti-virus program, and that someone from the Better Business Bureau and FBI contacted them. The victim was told they were part of a scam and needed to pay money. They later met with a suspect to pay $29,500 they withdrew from their account.
The next day, the victim was told to pay another $29,500 because the original transaction didn’t go through. The victim withdrew money and paid a different suspect.
Both of these cases are still under investigation.
ECPD wants to reminds folks that the FBI will never contact you and ask you for money. The FBI and other agencies will also never ask you to keep these requests secret.
If you ever have a question about whether you’re being scammed, police ask you to take a moment, assess the situation, and when in doubt, contact your local law enforcement.
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