KCCI.com, IA
06-03-07
Door-to-door Scam Moves Into Suburbs
DES MOINES, Iowa -- A door-to-door scam first noticed in Des Moines has
spread to the suburbs.
Viewers in Johnston, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Redfield have reported
they've been approached by the con artist.
The suspected scam artist is young woman, claiming to be a student at Iowa
State University. She's knocking on doors telling people she needs to raise
money for charity or a sports team trip. In some cases she will show a team ring
and fake i.d. In other cases, she has offered to do some kind of chore for her
victim. She's consistently given victims a "receipt" for their money.
So far, she's duped several central Iowans out of $5 - $120 at a time.
ISU officials told Newschannel 8 on Friday that the woman does not go to school
at ISU.
KCCI viewers have reported a few variations on this scam; the woman claims to
be on the basketball team or the soccer team, or a man says he's raising money
for ISU's baseball team.
Copyright 2007 by KCCI.com