Scammers attempt to swindle nearly $40,000 from Deer Creek residents via a car sales scam

By News Staff

June 10, 2025 at 11:19 AM

Tuesday, June 3

9:08 a.m.: Caller reported that a jet ski was loose and floating around the west side of Pelican Lake. The jet ski was returned to its owner.
9:23 a.m.: Ottertail resident reported a scam in which a family member was selling pictures of their feet online and was now being threatened by a scammer. The caller was given advice on how to resolve the situation and protect their accounts.
10:17 a.m.: Caller requested extra patrol because dump trucks were reportedly speeding, running stop signs, and creating excessive dust and noise all day and into the evening along Cozy Oak Drive, Ottertail.
12:05 p.m.: Caller reported that their vehicle tires were slashed along Third Avenue Southwest, Richville.
12:12 p.m.: Trespassing and suspicious activity were reported on private property on State Highway 210, Clitherall. The reporter said they would email photos of the incident to law enforcement.
12:39 p.m.: A two-vehicle accident with injuries was reported on County Highway 10 near County Highway 1, north of Fergus Falls.
5:19 p.m.: Caller was bitten by a dog on Sunset Drive, Dalton. According to the call logs, the bite was unprovoked and was treated at home.
6:02 p.m.: Reckless driving by a juvenile was reported along Richville 10, Richville. Deputies spoke with the juvenile’s mother.

Wednesday, June 4

9:05 a.m.: An accident that occurred on April 19 was reported to the Sheriff’s Office for insurance purposes. A parked vehicle rolled down a hill and hit a house on Augustana Drive, Battle Lake.
9:32 a.m.: A juvenile reportedly stole candy from a business on Old 59 Road, Pelican Rapids. The child and parents spoke to the store manager and paid for the candy.
10:19 a.m.: A semi-truck went over a bridge on Interstate 94 between Fergus Falls and Rothsay . Non-life-threatening injuries were reported.
3:25 p.m.: Caller reported that a neighbor was harassing them on Southwest Third Avenue, Richville.
3:41 p.m.: A Deer Creek caller reported being scammed after paying $17,064 for a car that they never received. The victim wired money to someone impersonating Truax Auto Sales, which is no longer in business.
6:44 p.m.: A FedEx driver was bitten by a dog earlier in the day while delivering a package to a residence on 510th Avenue, rural New York Mills. The dog reportedly slipped out when the homeowner opened the door to speak to the FedEx driver. The dog bit the driver on their left leg below the knee, causing a puncture wound.
7:51 p.m.: A woman who was cut off and told to leave a bar on Douglas Avenue, Henning, continued to leave and come back to the establishment. The woman was given a ride to her home.

Thursday, June 5

6:33 a.m.: Disturbance was reported after one tenant threatened another at an apartment complex on North Walker Avenue, New York Mills. One tenant was smoking below the other’s unit, which caused smoke to enter the above unit, and the tenant threatened the person smoking. The person smoking was in a designated smoking area and stated they would not move because they enjoy making the other tenant upset, according to the call log.
9:33 a.m.: Three yearling steers were reported missing from property near County Highway 27 and 340th Street, Maplewood Township. Thirteen had escaped the day prior, and 10 had been recovered at the time of the call.
10:56 a.m.: Threats against Ottertail Waste Management were reported. A man with property along Deer Lake Road, Underwood, threatened to blow up and/or dig up septic systems that waste management had installed on property that the man believed was stolen from him.
11:06 a.m.: A second Deer Creek caller reported being scammed after paying $19,653 for a car that they never received. The victim wired money to someone impersonating Truax Auto Sales, a former Deer Creek auto sales company that is no longer in business. The wire was able to be stopped.
12:29 p.m.: A controlled substance was discovered on property along County Highway 3, rural Pelican Rapids. The reporter had no idea how it got there or how long it had been there. The controlled substance was placed into evidence for destruction.
1:06 p.m.: A telecommunications company struck a gas line while working along County Highway 20, Pelican Rapids.
1:39 p.m.: An air compressor was reported stolen from a shop on East Fire Avenue, Fergus Falls.
5:55 p.m.: Caller reported that a man was reportedly hiding between a porta-potty and a bush and masturbating while watching them at the Little Pine Lake east public access, Perham. Law enforcement was unable to locate the man, who left southbound toward Perham on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
10:46 p.m.: A Dent woman was treated for smoke inhalation after a trash fire got out of control and caught a shop on fire on 310th Avenue, rural Dent. One of the people at the scene said he had been burning trash near a steel drum containing discarded aerosol cans, which began to explode near the shop, causing it to go up in flames.

Friday, June 6

3:02 a.m.: A man reportedly pushed his girlfriend out of his truck and was suspected to be driving through Otter Tail County on County Highway 8. The man was eventually located and arrested in Sebeka, Minnesota.
4:20 a.m.: The remains of a structure fire had reportedly rekindled at a residence on 310th Street, rural Dent.
9:03 a.m.: Flowers were reportedly stolen from headstones at a cemetery on State Highway 108, Pelican Rapids.
12:11 p.m.: Caller reported that someone was harassing loons on East Lake Lida while riding a jet ski.
3:34 p.m.: Caller reported that a vehicle went into the ditch and broke their fence on County Highway 56, New York Mills. The driver gave their information to the caller, and the two reached an agreement to pay for the fence.
11:58 p.m.: A juvenile female called Otter Tail County dispatch stating she wanted more time on her phone, but her dad was not allowing her to, and she wanted him to be called. The juvenile was advised not to use 911 in that manner.

Saturday, June 7

3:02 a.m.: A group of intoxicated adults was being loud and disturbing other guests in a hotel on State Highway 78, Ottertail. The group was told to go to their rooms, which they did. Law enforcement was called back later for the same issue and advised the group to once again go to their rooms, and that if they had to return, citations could be issued.
10:35 a.m.: Perham caller reported that they were receiving scam messages via text and Telegram. The caller was having ongoing issues due to being a victim in the past.
1:21 p.m.: Caller reported that a neighbor intentionally spun out their truck's wheels while leaving a driveway on 450th Street, Perham. The wheels kicked up rocks that reportedly hit the caller in the head. The driver and reporter had conflicting reports about what happened and agreed to ignore each other moving forward.
11:10 p.m.: A person was arrested for fourth-degree DWI on East Central Street, Clitherall.

Sunday, June 8

1:59 a.m.: The remains of a structure fire had reportedly rekindled at a residence on 310th Street, rural Dent.
5:27 p.m.: Dent caller reported that a dirt bike they were working on may be stolen.
7:36 p.m.: A 62-year-old man was arrested in connection with a domestic assault report in Otter Tail County. The dispatch log had the location of the incident redacted.

Monday, June 9

11:52 a.m.: A telecommunications company struck a gas line while working along Good Oak Trail, Frazee.
3:21 p.m.: Caller reported a malnourished dog wandering along North Second Avenue, Dent. The caller was seeking advice on how to help the dog.
4:47 p.m.: Caller reported excessive horse manure on the road near county highways 142 and 135. Deputies did not observe excessive manure, but would advise the local Amish community of the complaint.
9:10 p.m.: Two people were reportedly acting suspiciously at a storage unit near North Oak Street and East Main Avenue, Clitherall. The people were sleeping there and were advised that they needed to leave.