Beware of Online Sales, Especially on Social Media, Where Scammers Thrive!
Victim Trying to Purchase College Basketball Tickets Scammed Out of $8,000
Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) Detectives continue a lengthy fraud investigation where a victim lost over $8,000 while attempting to purchase college basketball tickets. During this scam, the suspect continued to sweeten the deal while giving several excuses for not immediately providing the tickets. SVIU Investigators developed probable cause to charge the suspect with felony Theft 1st egree, but his whereabouts are unknown.
In January 2024, the victim attempted to purchase Gonzaga Men’s Basketball tickets from a male claiming to be Thomas Jefferson, but he was later identified as 34-year-old Dennis M. Andreasen. During multiple contacts with Andreasen over the next couple of weeks, he changed the deal’s terms by offering tickets for additional games, pre-game reception tickets, and other perks while increasing the price.
The victim agreed to pay additional money for a limited ticket package because she and her husband enjoy going to games. During these multiple meetings, Andreasen made excuse after excuse for not having the tickets, promising the victim would receive the tickets.
During a February 7, 2024, meeting, a family friend, believing the victim was being scammed, followed her to WinCo Foods, 9718 E. Sprague Avenue, and attempted to contact Andreasen, who walked/ran away. The friend caught up to Andreasen inside the store and waited for Deputies to arrive.
Deputies identified Andreasen, who admitted to owing the victim $8,000 for basketball season tickets. He claimed he was selling them for a friend, but the friend had not given him the tickets yet. Deputies conducted interviews and completed a report, but they could not establish probable cause to charge Andreasen with a crime, so he was released.
Deputies forwarded the information to SVIU for additional investigation.
Through the lengthy investigation, Detectives also learned Andreasen had been arrested in Kootenai County and booked into jail on July 18, 2024, for unrelated crimes. SVIU Detectives contacted him there, advised him of his rights, and explained why they wanted to talk to him. Andreasen denied knowing anything about the sale of basketball tickets and requested a lawyer.
After obtaining several search warrants, SVIU Detectives developed evidence to show Andreasen used a false name, a false social media profile, provided false banking information, arrived at meetings in a rental car, and gave the victim a phone number different from the one he gave Deputies. They also believe Andreasen continually gave multiple false excuses for why he needed additional money from the victim to satisfy the deal. The suspect continued to meet with her to receive the money while never providing the tickets or a refund.
In addition, Detectives learned Andreasen stayed at Airbnb locations during this time, believing that Andreasen’s actions were all part of an elaborate scheme to try and maintain anonymity as he defrauded the victim of money with no intent to provide her the tickets.
SVIU Detectives, with this evidence showing the extent of Andreasen’s fraudulent actions during this elaborate scam, that resulted in the victim losing over $8,000.
With probable cause now established, SVIU Detectives requested a warrant for Andreasen’s arrest, charging him with felony Theft 1st Degree. Unfortunately, Andreasen’s whereabouts are unknown at this time.
SVIU Detectives continue to work to locate Andreasen as this investigation continues.
If you have information regarding Andreasen’s whereabouts, please call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, reference #10017900.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Beware of Online Sales, Especially on Social Media, Where Scammers Thrive!" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7