The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has received many calls and complaints referencing fraudulent online farm equipment sales allegedly being sold from an address in Canyon County.
In 2024, there have been numerous reports of online purchasing and arrangements for the delivery of tractors and other farming implements. However, when the money is sent and confirmation of payment has been received, the delivery of the item purchased never happens, and all communication stops. If the buyer attempts to contact the seller, their phone number is blocked, and emails go unanswered.
Some of the fraudulent websites that have been reported are:
Victims have described similar interactions with the supposed seller, who may be the same person in each sale. The victim will call the phone number posted on the website. A person will answer, and a discussion on the purchase and delivery will take place. Each website is carefully built with pictures of the business that closely match actual Canyon County addresses of farm property. However, only after the money is sent is there any suspicion of fraud.
The websites use legitimate Canyon County residential addresses. In most cases, the phone number associated with the fraudulent business has an Idaho area code. When called, someone answers and gives the impression you are speaking with a legitimate business. They take information, answer questions, and even arrange to receive the victim’s money. However, this is all a SCAM. There is no intent to deliver any farm equipment. There is NO equipment to deliver.
Victims are typically from outside Idaho and unfamiliar with Canyon County. Unfortunately, they do not realize they have been scammed until it is too late, and they have already sent the money, thinking they were paying for a legitimate transaction.
CCSO suspects the person or persons behind these activities is not local and may be located outside of the United States.
CCSO has the following recommendations to help you avoid this type of scam:
- Do not make any online purchases without first doing your research.
- Take extra time to verify the legitimacy of a business before sending them money.
- Only send money or make payments using legitimate sources. Do not send money via cryptocurrency or wire transfer.
- If you have questions about the legitimacy of a business, please contact our office at (208) 454-7531 or the Better Business Bureau at (208) 994-6896.
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, please call our office at (208) 454-7531 and ask for Detective Heim. You can also report fraud and scams at reportfraud.ftc.gov.