PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — Platteville Police Detective Tony Vander Velden has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the FBI for investigative work that helped advance a major federal case against an international fraud enterprise, the Platteville Police Department announced.

The recognition stems from Operation Midas Trap, a federal investigation into a criminal enterprise accused of defrauding vulnerable Americans. According to the FBI, the operation has identified more than 550 victims across 47 states, with reported losses exceeding $130 million. To date, 23 people have been criminally charged in connection with the investigation.

Vander Velden’s contribution began close to home. He investigated a local case in which an elderly Platteville woman was scammed out of a significant sum of money. By working the victim’s case thoroughly, following the evidence, and pursuing investigative leads, he uncovered a connection that gave the FBI the break it needed to move the broader investigation forward.

FBI Special Agent Gregory Harry singled out Vander Velden’s professionalism, initiative, investigative rigor, and cooperation, noting that his contributions played a significant role in progressing the investigation and that the FBI greatly appreciated the support of the Platteville Police Department.

The department said the recognition shows the reach a single local investigator can have: work that began as a devastating financial crime against one Platteville resident ultimately fed into a nationwide effort involving hundreds of victims and millions of dollars in losses.

The amount the Platteville victim lost was not specified in the department’s announcement.

Sources: Platteville Police Department announcement, November 2026; FBI, Operation Midas Trap.