Detectives' Efforts to Protect Scam Victims Yield Positive Results

January 31, 2025
Elise Schaffer, PIO, (608) 284-6142
Sheriff's Office

Dane County Sheriff’s Office Detectives assigned to financial crimes have tirelessly worked on fraud prevention tactics. As part of their work, they have met with financial investigators, bank managers, and other stakeholders. The goal is to head off scammers by intervening with their targets before they become victims. Twice this month, those efforts proved successful.
This week, a Connexus Credit Union branch manager called a detective, telling her an older woman at their bank was attempting to withdraw $25,000. The bank manager thought the circumstances sounded suspicious and was concerned a scammer was manipulating the woman. Our detective immediately went to the bank. 
It was quickly determined that the woman was indeed being scammed. It started with a pop-up alert on her computer, accompanied by a loud alarm, with instructions to call “Microsoft” for assistance. Calling the provided number, the scammers stated that the woman’s computer had been compromised and convinced her to withdraw $35,000.00 by going to two bank branches. They told her she would have to withdraw $25,000.00 at the first location and another $10,000.00 at a second location, knowing it was unlikely a financial institution would have the full amount on hand at one branch. The scammers coached the victim on how to deposit the money into a cryptocurrency ATM to “keep her money safe” while they investigated the data breach. 
If not for the detectives' unconventional approach to fighting these relentless scammers and the astute credit union staff, this woman most certainly would have lost significant money. Their educational efforts and the relationships they’ve built prevented a crime that has become all too common. 
The scammers had been so close to getting that money, so they didn’t give up! During the investigation, the detective spoke with the scammers on the woman’s phone and identified herself as a detective with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. The next day, spoofing the main line for the Sheriff’s Office, the scammers called the woman again, hoping to pick up where they left off. Being warned that the scammers would likely keep trying to get her money, the woman let the phone calls go to voicemail. Once again, these scammers prove how brazen and unapologetic they can be. 
Financial institutions are just as fed up with the schemers as law enforcement. Many are utilizing a tool provided to them by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives have offered a customizable Scam Alert flyer for financial institutions to use. The flyer lists scam trends happening in Dane County. 
This flyer and alert staff at Summit Credit Union helped save a Dane County man from losing thousands of dollars earlier this month. The man received a call from someone posing as a lawyer. The “lawyer” stated he was representing a family member of the man. The caller convinced the man to go to his bank to withdraw $80,000.00 to pay for bail and $8000.00 to cover the lawyer’s retainer. Astute Summit Credit Union staff showed the man the Scam Alert flyer. Armed with the flyer, the staff convinced the man to keep his money and contact law enforcement. 
If you or someone you know believes they have been a victim of an online or telephone scam, please get in touch with your local authorities. Ask your financial institution if they are arming their staff with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office Scam Alert flyer. We are happy to share the flyer with all financial institutions!