News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

Sheriff's Office investigates Internet theft-by-deception case with desperate Milwaukie victim

Posted: Oct. 14, 2009, 1:44 p.m.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case # 09-31576

On Oct. 10, 2009, victim Barbara L. Mauseth, age 54 -- a woman in financial distress -- desperately sought a loan on the Internet.

But an Internet loan application reportedly led the victim to become a victim of an online scam -- and she was duped out of $1,415 cash.

An investigating Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputy reports that Barbara Mauseth completed an online questionnaire seeking a $7,000 loan. Mauseth is desperately in need of financial assistance. After completing the questionnaire, Mauseth is reported to have conducted a telephone conversation with a male subject who told Mauseth that she would be required to provide a six-month security payment in order to secure the $7,000 loan.

Agreeing to this transaction, Mauseth reportedly sent $1, 415 cash via Western Union to a Canadian location in North York, Ontario. This Western Union money order has been cashed; however, the promised $7,000 loan never materialized in Mauseth's bank account.

Mauseth reports that she contacted the company -- which does business as "Silvergate Financial Services" -- and spoke to an individual who identified himself "Roy." During this telephone conversation, an additional Silvergate financial service representative explained to Mauseth that her loan had been reassessed -- and that she would be required to send additional money to secure the desired loan.

Barbara Mauseth then realized she was being scammed.

Mauseth is financially destitute -- she has since had her telephone disconnected, and she has no money to pay her rent. In addition, she is in fear of losing her automobile and her apartment in Milwaukie. Barbara Mauseth has a full-time job, but has recently fallen on hard financial times.

Barbara Mauseth does not want this to happen to others, and she's willing to discuss this case of theft by deception with any interested media outlets. Barbara Mauseth is available for interviews immediately. For the precise address and contact information, please contact Public Information Officer Jim Strovink.

TIPS SOUGHT

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information concerning this crime to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office's confidential Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online e-mail form. Please reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case # 09-31576.

The public can also submit crime-tip text messages to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office from a cell phone. All users have to do is send a text message to CRIMES (274637 on your phone keypad) -- with the keyword CCSO as the first word in the message body. Important reminder: Please do not send emergency messages using the text-messaging system -- in case of an emergency, call 911.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case # 09-31576

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Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office