Found a scam artist now how do I go about filing a report the courts? do I have to file with the police first?

Question

? I have lots of stuff on this guy and their are others involved with his events also. Not sure what has to be done first.

Answer 1

You file a report with the your state's attorney general's office and if the scam crosses state lines then you also contact the FBI

Answer 2

Go through the police, with the evidence you have.

If you get more evidence, go back to the police to amend your statement.

Give some thought to the nature of the crime. Local police are best qualified to deal with crimes in the physical world. They generally don't have a lot of training to cope with crimes in the Internet world or the Financial world ... Federal authorities are better qualified for that. It may be that you should be going to the closest federal building and making a statement to the FBI.

If it becomes apparent that the police work load is such that they are not going to be able to pursue this crime, then go to the news media next. Almost every city has a TV station reporter that makes a point of warning the public about recurring crimes in the community. Contact such individual(s), inform them of how long ago you told the police, and they not been able to shut down this guy. Perhaps the news media needs to warn the public about this serial scam artist ring that is operating in town, that the police have been unable to resolve.

Answer 3

Leslie
You, as indeed we all, are subject to the particular quality of enforcement you have available in your particular city !! This matter should go before the Police Dept. -- but, be advised on three seperate fronts here --
First --
depending on the work load, attitude, and the individual "give a damn" within your own local police dept. and the department within that agency that deals with such things -- you may and you may not get the desired results here !!
Second --
scam artists are extremely skitish individuals who make a good deal of the "killing" that they live on by way of staying --- not only a simple step ahead Of the LAW -- but, in a lot of cases, a single step ahead of Very Disraught and angry ex-clients as well (and some of THEM are not interested in ANY enforcement agency doing THEIR work FOR them) --- This makes these people very hard to actually catch and pin down -- for they have a dozen different ways "in the works" by which to slide under the radar and disappear !!
Third --
Depending on the "scope" of this particular operation -- this could cross jurisdictional boundries which can complicate things emensely -- if it is local -- that's one thing -- if it is statewide -- that's another -- and, God forbid, if its a national "thing" -- there are so many agencies and departments and bureaucracies involved -- that it could take half the balance of your lifetime to simply get anything done about such a matter !!

Good luck with this though, and -- a word of advice here
If you take this to your local police -- be sure that the people there know that this is something that you are not going to "let go of " easily -- and that you will be "checking in" and "following up" on the progress and activities involved in any investigations and prosecutions that ensue --- because, in a lot of cases, if they think this is something that they can "put on the back burner and it will 'go away' " --- they will !!!!!

Answer 4

These are my opinions and not legal advice. what you do is based on your own decisions and not my opinion

File a report with the police. Most police departments are too busy and it may take time. Also, you can go to your local District Attorney's office and State's Attorney General.

Depending on the amount of money and whether they crossed State line and did it by mail, you can contact the US Postal Office's Inspector General's office. If they crossed the state line and did not use the mail, you can contact the FBI. The FBI and most law enforcement agencies are too busy chasing terrorist related leads, so don't hold your breath.

You can also file a civil law suit and post as much details of the scams on internet sites to save/help others.

Answer 5

Yes, file a report with the police first, next I would call the Federal Trade Commission, at 1-877-438-4338, because someone could be committing Identity Theft.

It takes some people several years to get their credit cleared, next, tell everyone you know and don't know about the incident, the Internet is a big place, they will be caught eventually.

Answer 6

Talk to the Police. Just keep in mind a scam artist is tough to catch, they know the law and and often keep their scam just inside the boundaries or just beyond proof. They are masters of plausible deniablity.

Answer 7

Yes, go to the police. They'll be happy to take him off the street.

You didn't say if you were a victim yourself. If so, you'll want to contact an attorney. Once the criminal courts get through with this guy, you and your attorney should be able to separate him from any ill-gotten gains he still has!

Answer 8

You will need to talk to your local police department. They will decide if it should be handled by local, county, state, or federal authorities. Be sure you have enough information and what you have is truthful to avoid the person filing a lawsuit against you.

Answer 9

Go to the police. It's their duty to file charges against him and to take him to the courts.

Answer 10

Make a police report first.