Denver man accused of scamming person out of $153K, investigators seeking other victims

Yahoo

09-07-2025

A Denver man has been accused of scamming a Larimer County resident out of more than $150,000, and investigators believe other victims exist in and outside of Larimer County.
Larimer County Sheriff's Office investigators received a report in June 2025 of suspected fraud that began in January 2025. The adult male victim told law enforcement a man, who had been introduced to him by a family friend, claimed he inherited millions of dollars from a wealthy family member but needed help paying taxes on the fund before they could be released, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
Over six months, the man reportedly asked the victim to withdraw and deliver cash to various locations around Larimer County and Denver, according to the news release. In that time, investigators determined that the victim was scammed out of about $153,500.
The victim told investigators he became suspicious of this activity in June and began researching the man online. He ultimately reported the man's behavior to the sheriff's office, according to the news release.
William Harris, 67, was arrested June 30 on one charge of theft between $100,000 and $1 million, a Class 3 felony.
The victim told the sheriff's office about another person he said had been providing money to Harris for similar reasons, but that allegation involves a victim in Weld County and is being investigated by a different law enforcement agency, Larimer County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Kate Kimble told the Coloradoan. No charges have been filed in this case as of July 9, Kimble said.
Based on this, investigators believe other victims in Larimer County and in other areas of the state may exist.
Harris also has a criminal history of other financial crimes, according to online court records.
Harris was arrested in 2006 on federal charges alleging he scammed family members out of thousands of dollars over nearly three years by claiming he had high-level government connections that would lead to profitable investments, according to online court records.
Harris pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court in November 2008 and was sentenced in June 2009 to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervision upon release. He was also required to pay $122,795 in restitution, according to online court records.
Harris also pleaded guilty to theft of more than $15,000, a Class 3 felony, in Jefferson County in a 2006 case. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2010 and was ordered to pay $155,000 total in restitution to nine separate victims, according to online court records.
Anyone with more information about the current Larimer County case or similar cases involving this suspect can contact Larimer County Sheriff's Office Investigator Bryce Hinrichs at 970-498-5542. Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or stopcriminals.org.
Harris remains in the Larimer County Jail as of July 9 on a $75,000 cash bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court July 16.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Denver man accused of scamming Larimer County resident out of $153K