Woman charged with selling fake Facebook stock

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OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) – As Facebook announces plans for going public with a stock offering, an Oshkosh woman is charged with selling fake shares of the Internet social networking company.

Marianne Oleson is charged with 33 felony charges in Winnebago County Circuit Court. Prosecutors say the 46-year-old woman claimed to own Facebook stock and duped at least four people into buying some shares. According to the criminal complaint, one man gave Oleson $28,000 in cash and concrete work in exchange for stock documents that appeared to be legitimate.

Authorities say Oleson obtained the documents from a Florida company that owns private Facebook stock by pretending she was interested in purchasing $1 million worth of shares.

The Oshkosh Northwestern says Oleson is also facing drug charges. Police say they discovered a marijuana growing operation while executing a search warrant at her home in January.

Information from: Oshkosh Northwestern, http://www.thenorthwestern.com