News – Sheridan Media
Sheridan County Undersheriff Lieutenant Doug Sanders made the public aware of a “ghosting” scam seeking to defraud purchasers of large equipment.
Sanders said ghosting can refer to many different types of online activities, including fake referral traffic meant to lure users to malicious websites as well as phishing and spoofing scams that use fraudulent sites to steal personal information.
In recent incidents across the nation, scammers have created websites that appear legitimate and list large farm equipment at prices that seem too good to pass up. After a victim orders and remotely pays, the purchased equipment never arrives.
Undersheriff Lt. D. Sanders
Because these scammers often use legitimate banks to conduct transactions, the bank may only detect and stop the activity after the fraud is complete. Sanders said that once this happens, the criminals, frequently operating overseas, simply open another online account and continue the scheme.
Sanders advised residents to help avoid becoming victims by following these tips:
• Do not wire money to a business without physically seeing the equipment or vehicle.
• Do research on any website offering large or high-value equipment.
• If you discover you have wired funds to a fraudulent seller, report it immediately to your bank and the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office retains information on many techniques scammers use to gain access to funds and personal identities. If you believe you may be involved in a scam, contact the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office for assistance.
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Last modified: October 25, 2025