Oklahoma woman wanted in 4 counties for fraud, exploitation of the elderly

Anissa Vandenburg

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. — Police are looking for an Oklahoma woman accused of preying on seniors. Anissa Vandenburg is wanted in four Oklahoma Counties for a variety of crimes, including writing bad checks, document forgery, bank fraud, and financial exploitation of the elderly.

Investigators say she’s a skilled con artist who knows how to manipulate others.

“It goes back many years with this woman,” said David Cathey, an investigator with the Office of the District Attorney, 19th District. “She’s a habitual criminal.”

A Midwest City grandmother says she was tricked into giving Vandenburg $8,000 last year.

“Maybe about two or three weeks later, I realized I had been conned,” said LaDonna Bala. “It took me a while to report it because I felt like an idiot.”

Vandenburg worked as a bartender at the Moose Lodge, where Bala is a member. She came over to Bala’s home last April with an elaborate story about why she needed money, and Bala believed her. Bala says she finally realized it was a scam when she looked up Vandenburg’s court records online.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be that open or trusting again,” Bala said.

The experience has affected her financially and spiritually, but she’s hopeful others will learn from her mistake and justice will eventually be served.

“Vandenburg really is something of a sociopath in that she creates a lot of delusions and she’s very convincing to the people she talks to with her delusions,” said Cathey. “She loves to portray herself as a victim.”

Cathey believes Vandenburg is living in Midwest City or Guthrie, and he’s trying to track her down.
“We can’t find her,” he said. “We want the public to pick up the phone if you’ve seen her.”

Vandenburg is possible traveling with her husband, Harold Vandenburg. They may be in a black, 1995 Ford Ranger pick-up truck with Oklahoma tag number CFE418.

If you see them, you’re asked to call police.

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Oklahoma woman wanted in 4 counties for fraud, exploitation of the elderly