Gonzaga fan scammed out of $8,000 while trying to buy ‘Thomas Jefferson’ basketball tickets

A Gonzaga fan was scammed out of $8,000 when she tried to buy basketball tickets from a man who identified himself as “Thomas Jefferson,” the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Wednesday.

The man, identified as Dennis Andreasen, told the victim of the scheme that he was selling the tickets for a deal that included additional benefits, the release said. The victim agreed to pay the money for a “package” because her family enjoys going to the Gonzaga games.

In February, the victim’s girlfriend felt she was being scammed because she still never received the tickets, the sheriff’s office said. The friend decided to follow Andreasen at a meeting, where he said he was still waiting for the tickets, but he ran away.

Andreasen was arrested but later released because detectives were unable to determine probable cause. As the investigation continued, detectives discovered Andreasen used a fake social media profile, provided false banking information and used a rental car, all of which they concluded was in an “elaborate scheme” to defraud someone, the sheriff’s office said.

Andreasen now has a warrant out for his arrest on charges of theft, but his whereabouts are unknown.

Those with information on Andreasen’s whereabouts are encouraged to call Crime Check at (509)-456-2233, reference number 10017900.