Dakota County hunts digital criminals

Criminals leave a digital trail, and Dakota County is on their heels

By Joe Atkins | Dakota County Commissioner | August 2025

These digital detectives recover deleted files, extract GPS data and sift through massive amounts of information to find hidden clues. On average, they examine over 400 phones and 70 computers each year. In one recent case, a suspect tried to destroy his phone by flushing it down a toilet. It didn’t work. The Task Force recovered the device and extracted enough evidence to put him behind bars for decades on child pornography charges.

But digital crime isn’t just about violent offenses. More and more, crimes are committed by scammers where the weapon isn’t a gun but a convincing email, phone call or text message. And these schemes are hitting close to home. Just in the past few weeks, I’ve heard from five Dakota County residents who were targeted, from fake IRS calls to phony online romances.

Prevention is key
During my time as a state legislator, I chief authored bipartisan laws to crack down on fraud, stiffen penalties and modernize Minnesota’s consumer protections. But even the strongest laws can’t help if people don’t know what to watch out for.

One thing I learned at the Capitol still sticks with me: Minnesotans are the #1 target in the country for scammers, with Wisconsinites close behind. Why? Because we tend to be more trusting – and scammers know it. They prey on that trust with stories that sound just believable enough to fool even smart, careful people.

That’s why awareness matters. Guarding your personal information – shredding documents, reviewing your credit report, and signing up for a “My Social Security” account – can help prevent identity theft. And if you ever get a call, text or email out of the blue from someone asking for sensitive info, don’t respond right away. Instead, find the organization’s official website or phone number and contact them directly.

Scammers often create a false sense of urgency. They may say your bank account has been compromised or pretend to be a government agency. When in doubt, pause. Talk it over with someone you trust before you act.

Watch out for how scammers ask to be paid. If someone wants gift cards, cryptocurrency or a wire transfer, that’s a red flag. Stick with credit cards for online purchases – they offer stronger fraud protection. And never cash a check for someone you don’t know and send money back. That’s a classic scam.

A growing concern: scams are getting harder to detect
Some criminals are now using artificial intelligence to create AI-generated personas – fake people with made-up names, faces and even voices. These personas are built to seem friendly, believable and trustworthy. Some scammers even take over real social media accounts or pose as influencers or professionals. As AI improves, these tactics are only becoming more convincing.

Already a victim? Act fast.
If you’ve been scammed, contact your bank or credit card company – they may be able to reverse charges. Report the fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and if money was stolen file a report with your local police. You can also freeze or monitor your credit through the major bureaus and visit IdentityTheft.gov for recovery help. Be sure to change passwords for any affected accounts, especially if you reuse them elsewhere.

Digital crime is evolving fast, but Dakota County is working hard to stay ahead. From our Electronic Crimes Task Force to public education efforts, we’re doing everything we can to keep residents safe online and off. If you have concerns about fraud or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Commissioner Joe Atkins represents South St. Paul, West St. Paul, and Inver Grove Heights on the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. He welcomes questions and feedback at Joe.Atkins@co.dakota.mn.us or 651-438-4430.

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