scam

Police arrest man for theft related to LetGo app scam

The Beaumont Police Department (BPD) has arrested a 25-year-old Beaumont man for theft related to a LetGo app fraud scam that has plagued several Southeast Texans, Officer Haley Morrow announced Aug. 16.

Jeremy Deshawn Harris is suspected of committing over 12 theft crimes using the popular LetGo app, commonly used for buying and selling used items. Harris targeted victims who were trying to sell electronics on the app, telling his marks he was a Beaumont police officer, presumably in order to gain their trust.

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The check is in the mail

Check Fraud

Slowly but surely, Delores Reyes of Rose City has been trying to put her life and household back together after Hurricane Harvey rolled through last year and destroyed everything she spent 80-plus years amassing. But the fact that she has hit rough times hasn’t stopped criminals from targeting her as she begins to rebuild anew.

Among the things Reyes has been able to cobble together since the storm is a stove – although it’s electric, not the usual gas burner model she’s grown accustomed to cooking on over the last several decades.

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Fraud alert: scammers step up game to defraud Entergy customers

Grass and flowers are not the only things growing with the warmer temperatures this year. Utility payment scam attempts seem to be rising as well.

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Houston financial planner sentenced for stealing from clients

A 67-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to federal prison for violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston Nov. 2.

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Tax scammer preying on SETX elderly, disabled pleads guilty

Shannon Tecoko Mays

After five years of running from justice, this week a Dallas tax preparer pleaded guilty to his role in heading a tax scam that netted more than $6 million by stealing the identity of elderly and disabled victims nationwide.

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Tax refund scammer arrested

Shannon Mays

It’s been roughly five years since Syam Investments, its owner Shannon Mays and affiliates like Diana Broussard McCoy from Port Arthur were exposed in the pages of this newspaper for bilking hundreds of Southeast Texans out of tens of thousands of dollars. And since then, those who say they were victimized by the group have been waiting for some form of justice.

But now, with the suspected criminal mastermind behind bars, they may at long last get their day in court.

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Fraud alert: Pinehurst police chief warns residents of phone scam

Pinehurst Police Chief Fred Hanauer is warning residents that scammers are targeting the area with the popular "Publisher's Clearing House" con, which has recently been featured in The Examiner and is still circulating after years. 

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Sheriff's office warns of phishing scam

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is warning local residents about a phishing scam targeting the area and citing a lawsuit, ironically, involving a fishing and bait company.

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Word to the Wise: Old home healthcare employment scam claims new victim

An old scam involving bad checks and bogus job opportunities has claimed a new victim, reports the Orange Police Department (OPD).

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Port Arthur police warn public of ticket scam

Police in Port Arthur are warning the public that callers posing as emergency dispatchers are contacting city residents to tell them they have outstanding tickets and threatening arrest if they don't send money immediately. 

According to a news release from the Port Arthur Police Department, they have received multiple reports from people who were called by a number that appeared to be the Port Arthur Police 9-1-1 Dispatch Operators and told to send money via Western Union right away or get thrown in jail.

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