Fake South Dakota Farm Equipment Website Steals $35,000+
An elaborate online scam is targeting regional farmers and contractors by impersonating a real South Dakota family business and stealing over $35,000 from unsuspecting buyers.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of the Midwest Plains issued an urgent warning regarding "Bass Farm Equipment," a fraudulent operation claiming to be located in Castlewood, South Dakota. Investigators reveal the scammers are using the name, reputation, and physical address of an actual local farm to trick victims into wiring massive sums of money for heavy machinery that does not exist.
The Hamlin County Sheriff's Office and the South Dakota Attorney General have both been notified, but the fraudulent website (bassfarmequipment.com) and its associated Facebook Marketplace pages remain active.
How the Identity Theft Unfolded in Castlewood
The scam came to light when a frustrated buyer from North Dakota traveled to 17949 459th Avenue in Castlewood to inspect some heavy machinery.
Instead of a dealership, the buyer found the home of Craig and Roxanne Bass, who own a family farm and a sanitary service business. The Bass family does not sell farm equipment. Roxanne Bass confirmed to BBB investigators that they have absolutely no affiliation with the website and are victims of identity theft.
The investigation uncovered major red flags exposing the operation:
Impossible History: The website claims the business has been "serving farmers and builders since 1995." However, domain registry records show the website was created less than a month ago, on May 4, 2026.
Recycled Phone Numbers: The phone number listed (605-215-1629) has already been linked to a previous online equipment scam operating under the name "Miller Equipment," suggesting a larger, organized fraud ring.
Stolen and Contradictory Content: The site features recycled photos stolen from legitimate dealers, fabricated 5-star reviews from coastal cities, and completely contradictory warranty terms.
The Cost of the Scam
The fraudulent setup looks incredibly professional, complete with detailed logos, finance options, shipping tracking, and video clips of "recent hauls." This polished exterior has already cost regional buyers dearly.
According to the BBB, one victim lost $14,500 after wiring funds for equipment that never arrived. A separate BBB Scam Tracker report filed on May 28 detailed a Texas-area buyer who was conned out of $23,970 after signing a fake sales agreement and wiring a money transfer.
The scammers follow a strict pattern: they demand immediate upfront wire payments, refuse to allow in-person inspections, and immediately cut off all communication once the money is sent.
How Local Buyers Can Protect Themselves
The BBB advises anyone looking for agricultural or heavy construction equipment to look out for these specific warning signs:
Insist on In-Person Inspections: Never purchase major machinery without seeing it in person first. If a seller makes excuses or refuses a physical visit, walk away.
Never Wire Money: Wire transfers are just like sending cash - once the money is gone, it cannot be reversed. Legitimate dealers offer secure, traceable payment methods.
Verify with the State: Check the South Dakota Secretary of State's website to ensure the business is legally registered and authorized to operate.
Be Skeptical of Social Media Deals: Scammers heavily rely on Facebook Marketplace to find targets quickly before their fake pages get shut down.
If You Have Been Targeted:
Anyone who has attempted to do business with "Bass Farm Equipment" should immediately file a report with the Hamlin County Sheriff's Office, log the incident on the BBB Scam Tracker, and contact the South Dakota Attorney General’s Consumer Protection division at (605) 773-4400.
Story Sources: South Dakota BBB
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