MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a lawsuit Friday against a Minnesota coin dealer for charging people tens of thousands of dollars for gold, silver, and other coins and then not delivering the coins.

Filed in Ramsey County District Court against Tiffany Grady, individually and doing business as The Stella Group, the lawsuit alleges that they violated state consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices laws.

The offenses include:

• An 82-year-old woman received an unsolicited call from The Stella Group, which convinced her to pay $12,000 for 10 coins in May of 2012. Two days later, the woman was admitted to the hospital and then a nursing home. The coins were never delivered.
• A 63-year-old man wired Grady $62,500 in July of 2012 for coins after Grady called him and said she had a “good deal” on coins. The coins were never delivered.
• A 66-year-old man received repeated calls from The Stella Group, which eventually convinced him to wire $14,000 for 10 coins in June of 2012. The coins were never delivered.

Consumers who have experienced problems with The Stella Group or another coin dealer may file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by calling (651) 296-3353 or (800) 657-3787.

Click here to see the consumer alert.