Becker County (trfnews.i234.me) — Joann Evonne Wik, 47, lives in rural Detroit Lakes. She now faces two felony charges.
Wik is charged in Becker County District Court with felony check forgery. She is also charged with felony theft by swindle. Court records tie the case to a $5,738.23 check.
What investigators say
An investigator with the Detroit Lakes Police Department spoke with an 82-year-old woman on November 20, 2025. The woman said Wik asked her for help at Old National Bank in Detroit Lakes. The bank was formerly Bremer.
The woman said she went to the bank with Wik on June 4, 2025. She said Wik had a $5,738.23 check. The check listed a New York attorney as the maker.
Court records say the check was payable to Wik. The woman said she cashed it. She said she gave Wik $3,000 in cash that day.
Records say she gave Wik the rest of the money on June 9, 2025. The woman later learned the check bounced. Court filings say the bank held her responsible for the full amount.
Investigators reviewed a copy of the check. The copy shows Wik endorsed it to the woman. Police say that matched the woman’s statement.
The check is linked to an attorney’s identity
The complaint says Wik had no account at the bank. Investigators also searched the attorney’s name online. They concluded that the attorney is a real lawyer.
Police wrote that scammers often misuse the attorney’s name and checks. On December 3, 2025, the investigator called the attorney. He said fraudulent checks appear on his accounts often.
He told police he checks his accounts every day. He also said most fake checks are under $10,000. He said $5,738.23 is a common amount in scams.
The attorney said Wik never worked for him. He also said he never wrote her any checks.
Wik’s statement and next court date
Police interviewed Wik on December 3, 2025, records say. She told investigators the check came from an employer in Thief River Falls. She said she worked as a hotel general manager.
Court records show several theft and fraud convictions since 1998. The Becker County Attorney’s Office said it plans to seek an aggravated sentence.
Wik’s first court appearance is set for January 22, 2026. The case is set before District Judge Michelle Lawson.
Resources for readers
Public case entries may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online. Court location details are posted by the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
The Federal Trade Commission explains how fake check scams work. It also lists steps to report fraud.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.