Woman, 73, swindled out of $30,000 via Facebook, WhatsApp private messaging services

Woman, 73, swindled out of $30,000 via Facebook, WhatsApp private messaging services

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance with offices in Scottville (231-757-4743), Manistee (231-723-3500) and Grand Haven (616-846-7230); text: 231-613-3090; www.smith-eddy.com.

FERRY TOWNSHIP — A 73-year-old woman is the victim in a fraud case investigated by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office in which a man from a foreign country swindled $30,000 from her using Facebook and WhatsApp private messaging services to communicate with her, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.

The fraud case was reported to the sheriff’s office Sunday, Oct. 8, shortly after 2 p.m. in the 3900 block of South 140th Avenue. The bulk of the defrauded money was sent via a wire transfer. 

The man apparently persuaded the woman to send the money under the guise of a romance between the two and promised to pay her back.

Other recent activity of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office includes:

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023:

• 4:49 a.m., domestic violence, no arrest, 2200 block of West Baseline Road, Hart Township.

Friday, Oct. 6, 2023:

• 9:37 a.m., a 36-year-old Shelby man was arrested on warrants and charged with driving while license suspended, operating without a license and improper license plate, 65th Avenue, Shelby Township.

Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023:

• 2:51 a.m., domestic violence, no arrest, Chapita Hills, Village of Shelby.
• 9:45 p.m., an 18-year-old Rothbury man and a 16-year-old Pentwater girl were cited for minors in possession of alcohol, 600 block of North State Street, Village of Shelby.

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