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Jul 01, 2023

Wisconsin woman part of larger online scam ring, court documents state

OSHKOSH - A Winneconne woman who was arrested last week in an investigation of a

OSHKOSH - A Winneconne woman who was arrested last week in an investigation of a scam has been charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor, according to a criminal complaint filed in Winnebago County.

Gail Patterson, 66, faces four felony charges and one misdemeanor relating to theft by false representation from four victims through Internet scams.

Four victims, at least two of whom were from out of state, lost $80,000 in cash and electronics. The complaint said the victims thought they were helping move a horse to Montana, carrying on an "online relationship" with country singer Chris Young, securing government grants for a child care center, and sending iPhones to charity.

Instead, authorities say most of the money went into Patterson's Bitcoin accounts after the victims sent her iPhones, money orders and checks in a package.

When deputies visited Patterson's home, they found some of those packages and mailers in her apartment, the complaint said.

Patterson had her first hearing last Friday and is being charged as a party to a crime. The Winneconne Police Department said last Thursday she is suspected of being part of a larger scamming ring.

"There was an urgency to arrest her for the recent charges to prevent more people from becoming victims," said Ben Sauriol, interim chief of the department.

Patterson is in custody at Winnebago County Jail. Her next court date is Wednesday.

Rebecca Loroff is a breaking and trending news reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Contact her at [email protected].