Sheriff: Gangs Now Turning To More Financial Fraud

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Gangs are not what they used to be in the Twin Cities. Officials say more gangs are turning to financial fraud.

Twin Cities prosecutors and sheriffs are banding together to help combat the growing problem of financial fraud.

While the group is pushing for more funding and stiffer penalties for offenders, they also say citizens need to do their part.

Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom said something as simple as leaving your smartphone or laptop in your car can have huge consequences.

"Most of us keep some passwords hidden on there, doesn't take much for people to find them which opens a vault for all sorts of things for people to access," he said.

Bostrom said the typical gang member is changing, too. He said many have become experts to the ways of financial fraud, and a growing number of them are women.