Woman accused in Facebook stock scam

OSHKOSH - A Winnebago County woman is facing nearly three dozen charges after she allegedly defrauded investors of thousands of dollars.

Marianne Oleson, 46, made her initial appearance in Winnebago County court Wednesday afternoon.

Oleson, who is also known to go by the last names of Jansen, Milock or Maloney, is charged with 31 felony counts relating to theft and forgery for the sale of fake stock for the social media company Facebook.

"I was scammed," said Randy Stafford.

Stafford, a construction worker, did work on Oleson's home in Nekimi in Winnebago County.

According to the criminal complaint, after Oleson couldn't pay up, she offered to pay Stafford in fake stock in Facebook.

"I think it's a great opportunity, it's a growing business so on and so forth," said Stafford.

In all Stafford wound up with more than $28,000 worth of fake Facebook stock.

How'd it add up?

$18,000 was in payment for work he did on Oleson's house. And Stafford paid an additional $10,000 in cash for even more fake Facebook stock.

"I'm interested in my options and investments so you don't have to work as hard and make it a lot easier money for my kids and family," said Stafford.

But Stafford says something didn't seem right. That's when he went to police.

"She, according to the victim, she said that she had bought right around $1 million worth of Facebook stock," said Detective Jeff Bellin with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.

Bellin says Stafford wasn't the only person scammed.

"There were other victims initially identified and from there, it just grew," said Bellin.

The criminal complaint lists five people, including Stafford, that either purchased fake stock from Oleson or had it given to them as a gift. One of those people is Oleson's own daughter, who allegedly received fake stock as a Christmas gift.

"You think there might be more victims out there?" asked FOX 11's Bill Miston.

"Yes, we believe there is," replied Bellin.

Oleson is also facing three marijuana related charges. Her bond is set at $50,000.

Oleson's next court appearance is Feb. 9.

Investigators ask that anyone with any contact with Marianne Oleson regarding Facebook stock contact the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office or Oshkosh police.