Minnetonka Woman Charged for Craislist Schemes

Deborah Anderson, 47, was charged in September with one count of theft by swindle over $5,000. A conviction means up to 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine.

In July 2010, Minnetonka Police detectives obtained reports of suspicious behavior on four Craigslist sale transactions involving three states and Minnetonka. In each sale, Anderson allegedly sent a check to the seller for several thousand dollars over the asking price, instructing the owner to keep the amount due and wire the balance to Anderson’s address of 10641 Smetana Road in Minnetonka. None of the sellers complied with the her request, instead they reported the transactions as suspicious.

Officers determined that a person from Michigan sold a car to Anderson and wired her $4,500 received in excess of the vehicle purchase price. Police say surveillance video at a local Western Union store showed Anderson picking up the cash. The seller ultimately learned the check used to purchase his car was counterfeit.

Officers found similar transactions had taken place in Tennessee and Oregon. In those transactions, the sellers wired a combined total of $5,000 to Anderson only to find out the purchase checks were counterfeit. A search warrant was executed at Anderson’s home, at which time police say she admitted involvement in the scheme with others and earned approximately $3,500 for her role.