Manitowoc (WFRV) – Channel 5 has learned more people are affected by an ad scam we first told you about Monday night. The alleged scammer may have gone toward the lake shore in the cities of Manitowoc and Sheboygan.
Police think 29-year-old Robert Calaway may be the scammer. Monday authorities told Channel 5 that Calaway has been selling businesses fake ads in Clintonville, Shawano, Bonduel and Marion.
Tuesday, Mary Franzen of Manitowoc, wrote Channel 5 to say Calaway had sold her a fake ‘Value Mat’ ad. Franzen says Calaway told her he was with the company Trivia Adds. He came to her store, Cartridge World of Manitowoc, and she gave him $150 for the deal. Franzen says she knows of at least 13 businesses in Manitowoc and 50 in Sheboygan that have been victims of Calaway’s plot.
John Thrapp owns a store in Sheboygan. He e-mailed Channel 5 to say he too fell victim to the ploy. He contacted the Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection Agency.
If you’ve been a victim of the ad scam call your local police agency.
