The Portland Police Bureau Detective Division's White Collar Crime Detail is currently investigating two incidents involving fraud. The investigation began after officers responded to separate incidents in October 2017 and January 2018.
In both of the cases, the victims reported similar situations in which the suspect disguised himself as a door-to-door magazine salesperson. According to victims, the suspect wore a white dress shirt and tie. The victims stated the suspect started his sale's pitch by telling them about his personal hardship and desire to complete a medical assistant degree. After building rapport with the victims, the suspect presented documents titled, "P.S. Circulation L.L.C." The sales document also had a money back guarantee. The suspect encouraged the victims to order the magazines and have them shipped to nearby well-known non-profit organizations. The suspect knew the addresses of these nearby non-profit organizations.
At the conclusion of the transaction, the suspect requested the victim make the check payable to the suspect.
Based on information learned in the investigations, detectives believe the suspect is 24-year-old Lonnell Lasso.
Anyone with information about Lasso or who has been the victim of fraudulent activity similar to these incidents is asked to contact Detective Cheryl Waddell at 503-823-0697 or Cheryl.Waddell@portlandoregon.gov
The White Collar Crime Detail has learned that P.S. Circulation L.L.C has a permanent injunction by the State of Oregon Department of Justice. The injunction prohibits P.S. Circulation L.L.C. from performing business activities in the State of Oregon.
The Portland Police Bureau would like to remind community members of the following tips to avoid these scams:
* Know where to turn. Victims suffering a financial loss should report incidents to local law enforcement agencies and the Oregon Attorney General's Office, Department of Justice.
* The Oregon Department of Justice has a tremendous amount of information and resources available to protect consumers. Information can be found by visiting http://www.doj.state.or.us/Pages/index.aspx
*For more information, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Scam Alert website www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts