Scams
Scammers sending couriers for cash
MARYVILLE, Mo. — On Aug. 3, 2023, a woman stepped off a plane in Kansas City. She rented a vehicle and headed to Maryville, where she wanted to “see the environment” because she’d heard it was a “quiet place,” she would later tell police and the FBI. But law enforcement officials say the woman, Jiahong…
Read MoreForum Editorial: Ask for help if you suspect a scam
This week, The Forum is running our third in a monthly series about how a multitude of different types of scams are affecting us here in northwest Missouri. Oftentimes, scams seem like things that happen to other people, not to us. Most of us think we couldn’t possibly fall victim to one — unless we…
Read MoreSextortion targets minors
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Sitting at home, safe in his bedroom, a 14-year-old boy receives a Snapchat quick add from a good-looking woman who shows an interest. Over the course of a night or even a couple days, she talks to him about Fortnite, Minecraft, maybe even what’s happening a school. She’s a Chiefs fan, just…
Read MoreLocal law enforcement officers tackle ongoing tough issue
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Scam experts in northwest Missouri are few and far between, but right here in Maryville, a pair of detectives are becoming well-known as the right guys to talk to when scam victims find themselves in need of help. Maryville Detectives Sgt. Adam James and Sgt. Ryan Glidden have spent the last five…
Read MoreAuthorities warn of scammers impersonating local officials
MARYVILLE, Mo. — The FBI is warning the public of ongoing widespread fraud schemes in which scammers impersonate law enforcement or government officials in attempts to extort money or steal personally identifiable information. Jack Hunsucker, environment public health specialist at the Nodaway County Health Department, said in an email that one such incident occurred on…
Read MoreCapitol Report: House approves bill to crack down on call spoofers
Members of the Missouri House took action this week to protect vulnerable Missourians from predatory callers who hid their identities. The bill passed by the House would establish the “Caller ID Anti-Spoofing Act.” Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to caller ID display to disguise their identity. Scammers often use neighbor…
Read MoreScams on the rise in county
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Reports of scams are not new in the United States, but in Nodaway County the uptick is measurable, according to local business owner Matt Gaarder and local law enforcement. “We’ve seen four in the last two months,” said the owner of Rapid Elite, a local printing and shipping store. “It’s frustrating because…
Read MoreMaryville Public Safety warns of scams
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Maryville Public Safety responded Monday to a local FedEx shipper, after being contacted by a family member of a scam victim, who had been fleeced out of several thousand dollars. Detective Ryan Glidden told The Forum at the scene the victim was frazzled and coming to Rapid Elite, an authorized FedEx shipper,…
Read MoreRecorder warns of scam letter
Recorder of Deeds, Sandra Smail warns Nodaway County residents of a scam letter making the rounds in Nodaway County. The very realistic form appears to ask residents who own their homes to send it for a copy of their deed. “This is a scam that goes on from time to time across the state,” Smail…
Read MorePhone scammer seeks donations for ‘police’
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Maryville Public Safety reported via social media on Friday that “a concerned citizen” called in a complaint alleging a telephone scam involving a request for donations in support of supposed activities carried out by police. According to an MPS advisory posted on the department’s Facebook page, the bogus call was placed by…
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