El Reno business owner loses thousands of dollars after fraudulent purchase
The owners of 1776 Freedom Fireworks say a man took nearly $2,000 dollars worth of their money and fireworks.
EL RENO, Okla. (KFOR) — The owners of 1776 Freedom Fireworks say a man took nearly $2,000 dollars worth of their money and fireworks.
The stand in El Reno has been serving the community for four years. The owner, Isvi Ingram, never thought this would happen.
"It kind of made me really angry because I don't understand why people are out here scamming small businesses as well as innocent people," Ingram said.
This unknown man allegedly placed an online order under the name Keith Boykin. When someone claiming to have made the order showed up, an employee took the picture below.
He allegedly used a stolen debit card and a fake email to buy the fireworks.
The rightful debit card holder is Ben Baker, a Tulsa engineer, who noticed the charges on his account.
"I started thinking and talking to my wife, have we done anything crazy lately and couldn't think of it,” Baker said.
Investigators in Canadian County are working to get details for Ingram.
They can't take action until the pending charges go through.
Ingram leaves this message for other small business owners.
"Trust your gut. If something seems off, it probably is. And go through the extra measures of double checking everything,” Ingram said.
If you recognize the man in the photo, Ingram asks that you message 1776 Freedom Fireworks on Facebook. She is offering a $500 dollar reward.