Mastermind in check scheme to serve 18 months in jail
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It started with a stolen check, and ended with a massive undercover sting operation."We were contacted by the attorneys of a real estate management firm in the suburbs of a tax refund check that they were missing," U.S. Postal Inspector Michael Van de Putte said.The check was valued at more than $900,000."Checks like the one in this case of approximately $955,000 are not often negotiated at your local bank branch," Van de Putte said.However, the IRS-issued check was stolen within a day."After an investigation, we found someone attempted to create a bank account in the name of that business and cash that check," Van de Putte said.The mastermind, named Dion Franklin, paid a young woman to open the account and then asked her to deposit the check the next day.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It started with a stolen check, and ended with a massive undercover sting operation."We were contacted by the attorneys of a real estate management firm in the suburbs of a tax refund check that they were missing," U.S. Postal Inspector Michael Van de Putte said.The check was valued at more than $900,000."Checks like the one in this case of approximately $955,000 are not often negotiated at your local bank branch," Van de Putte said.However, the IRS-issued check was stolen within a day."After an investigation, we found someone attempted to create a bank account in the name of that business and cash that check," Van de Putte said.The mastermind, named Dion Franklin, paid a young woman to open the account and then asked her to deposit the check the next day.
Man gets scammed after agreeing to minister's investment scheme
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Think about the people you trust the most: your spouse, your doctor, your mother.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Think about the people you trust the most: your spouse, your doctor, your mother.
Couple serves jail time in bank identity theft case
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- When you think of a bank robbery, images of armed, masked men might come to mind, but that's not the case anymore. "Crystal and Carter Smith recruited a person from the inside to assist her with getting banking information basically," U.S. Postal Inspector Essialani Hollier-Jackson said.The bank insider gave the Smiths' account information and identifiers."They had a third party who ends up being Elise Bell, who went in and attempted and actually successfully took all of the money out of the victims' account," Hollier-Jackson said.The group stole $150,000 from one victim alone."These funds - these were her life savings and she was so distraught she couldn`t understand how this happened," Hollier-Jackson said.As postal inspectors began digging, they found this case was just the beginning for the Smiths."They did use other different people identifiers but they did use their faces," Hollier-Jackson said.Inspectors quickly learned the Smiths were career criminals."They lived in a very nice home that they had stolen, of course.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- When you think of a bank robbery, images of armed, masked men might come to mind, but that's not the case anymore. "Crystal and Carter Smith recruited a person from the inside to assist her with getting banking information basically," U.S. Postal Inspector Essialani Hollier-Jackson said.The bank insider gave the Smiths' account information and identifiers."They had a third party who ends up being Elise Bell, who went in and attempted and actually successfully took all of the money out of the victims' account," Hollier-Jackson said.The group stole $150,000 from one victim alone."These funds - these were her life savings and she was so distraught she couldn`t understand how this happened," Hollier-Jackson said.As postal inspectors began digging, they found this case was just the beginning for the Smiths."They did use other different people identifiers but they did use their faces," Hollier-Jackson said.Inspectors quickly learned the Smiths were career criminals."They lived in a very nice home that they had stolen, of course.
Problems with a dress purchased online from company overseas
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The internet makes it easy to buy anything from anywhere.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The internet makes it easy to buy anything from anywhere.
Small business owner deals with theft from bank accounts
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- If you think your bank account is theft-proof, FOX6's Contact 6 says you need to think again!"I was very, very angry.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- If you think your bank account is theft-proof, FOX6's Contact 6 says you need to think again!"I was very, very angry.
It may seem like a good deal, but most work-at-home jobs are scams
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Wouldn't it be great if you could work from home?
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Wouldn't it be great if you could work from home?
Why do people still fall for relatively obvious email scams?
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- We are all constantly bombarded with so-called "great" email offers.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- We are all constantly bombarded with so-called "great" email offers.
Scam calls promising free money are too good to be true
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A promise of free money from the government may sound too good to be true, and FOX6's Contact 6 says it probably is!Chris Manion says she received a phone call that made her think twice about these so-called "free" offers."I haven't heard this one before and I wanted to make sure it got publicized," Manion said.Manion says the caller made her an offer that didn't quite make sense."I work for the government and the government is giving out grants for free!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A promise of free money from the government may sound too good to be true, and FOX6's Contact 6 says it probably is!Chris Manion says she received a phone call that made her think twice about these so-called "free" offers."I haven't heard this one before and I wanted to make sure it got publicized," Manion said.Manion says the caller made her an offer that didn't quite make sense."I work for the government and the government is giving out grants for free!
Man accused of swindling thousands from company he helped found
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- He was a friend and a colleague -- in fact, a founder of the company, and he ended up a thief!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- He was a friend and a colleague -- in fact, a founder of the company, and he ended up a thief!
Contact 6 helps viewer obtain medical records after doctor dies
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Your medical records are important, but what if you couldn't get them?
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Your medical records are important, but what if you couldn't get them?
Some ID thieves targeting children, who have no credit
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- For years, identity theft has been on the rise, and there is no age limit!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- For years, identity theft has been on the rise, and there is no age limit!
ID theft criminals using elaborate means to get your account info.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Do you know where your checkbook is?
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Do you know where your checkbook is?
Postal inspectors warning of continuing identity theft scams
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- How closely do you look at your credit card statement?
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- How closely do you look at your credit card statement?
Safety School instructor offers motorcycle safety tips
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- As we gear up for the Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary celebration, drivers need to beware of all the motorcycles on the road, and motorcyclists tell FOX6 News they are worried about vehicles with whom they are sharing the road.FOX6's Contact 6 recently took in a rider's class at Learning Curves Motorcycle Safety School."The experienced riders I know, they recommended this course because they took it themselves," John Wilson said."I'm most worried about other people because I can't control them.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- As we gear up for the Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary celebration, drivers need to beware of all the motorcycles on the road, and motorcyclists tell FOX6 News they are worried about vehicles with whom they are sharing the road.FOX6's Contact 6 recently took in a rider's class at Learning Curves Motorcycle Safety School."The experienced riders I know, they recommended this course because they took it themselves," John Wilson said."I'm most worried about other people because I can't control them.
Investment scam artist takes nearly $900K from over 22 people
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A scam artist tricked a widow into giving him close to $100,000 -- and she's not the only one who took big losses in a phony investment scheme."I felt guilty.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A scam artist tricked a widow into giving him close to $100,000 -- and she's not the only one who took big losses in a phony investment scheme."I felt guilty.
Elderly woman gets caught up in foreign lottery scam
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- You're a winner!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- You're a winner!
15-year-old boy targeted through eBay/PayPal scam
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Spelling makes all the difference -- especially when it comes to scams!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Spelling makes all the difference -- especially when it comes to scams!
Woman sentenced for theft of over $400,000 from employer
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A long-time employee is sentenced on federal mail fraud charges, charged with stealing $400,000 from the company she worked for!As the controller for Frake's Engineering for 20 years, Brenda Helpling was in charge of finances and bills for the company.In fact, Helpling was the only person overseeing company finances, which made it easy for her to steal.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A long-time employee is sentenced on federal mail fraud charges, charged with stealing $400,000 from the company she worked for!As the controller for Frake's Engineering for 20 years, Brenda Helpling was in charge of finances and bills for the company.In fact, Helpling was the only person overseeing company finances, which made it easy for her to steal.
Don't be pressured into resolving debt on the phone - it could be a scam
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- If a phone solicitor insists you have outstanding debt - even if you think otherwise - don't be pressured into giving money.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- If a phone solicitor insists you have outstanding debt - even if you think otherwise - don't be pressured into giving money.
Contact 6 features items to skip while shopping for college
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Why spend more on college than you absolutely have to?
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Why spend more on college than you absolutely have to?