Charges: Woman Used Fake Gold Coins To Swindle $8K

BURNSVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) -- A 19-year-old woman has been accused of using fake gold coins to swindle $8,000 out of a store, according to police.

Alicia Ann Mansfield of Faribault faces one felony count of theft by swindle (aggregating) in connection to the April 16, 2012 incident.

According to the criminal complaint, a Burnsville police officer was dispatched to a store, only identified as G.L.O., to investigate a possible fraudulent transaction involving counterfeit coins. One of the owners reported that one of the employees had paid Mansfield $8,250 of the store's money for what was originally believed to be 50 gold Krugerand coins. A later inspection determined they were counterfeit coins.

When the owner contacted Mansfield, she denied knowing the coins were counterfeit and said she could not return the money because she used it to buy a vehicle, the complaint said.

Police made contact with Mansfield, who then admitted to knowing the coins were counterfeit. She said she split the money with her coin supplier, leaving her with $4,000. She later used the money to purchase baby products, the complaint said.

If convicted, Mansfield could face up to 10 years in prison.