Man accused duping Vikings for $70,000 in luxury suite scam

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A San Francisco man is accused of bilking the Minnesota Vikings out of about $70,000 in a luxury suite scam.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says 39-year-old Daniel Escamilla signed a contract to rent a suite for the Sept. 9 game against the San Francisco 49ers, which he attended.

When his check for $37,000 bounced a few days later, Escamilla told the Vikings he would send checks for that game as well as for a Sept. 23 game against the Buffalo Bills. Those checks, for $35,000 and $190,000, also bounced.

The investigation found that Escamilla used a similar scheme to lease a Minneapolis luxury apartment, where he hosted a party before the 49ers game.

Escamilla is charged with four counts of theft. Authorities say his whereabouts are unknown and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.