WINONA, Minn. – After five fraud cases in 1-1/2 weeks, Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude issued a citizen alert to be leery about telephone and online calls for money. The recent frauds netted crooks about $13,000, he said. Some ploys heve complex schemes. Among them:
> “Real deals” on Facebook and other online market places. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
> An online notice, usually purporting to be from Microsoft, that malware has infected your computer and that your password is needed to fix it.
> Claims of a relative in trouble with the law and needing quick cash.
> Instructions to buy and send gift cards.