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**Summary:** Todd Bernstein, a 67-year-old Michigan insurance agent, pleaded no contest to four counts of insurance fraud involving misleading information on annuity applications for clients over 65, concealing that new annuities were purchased with proceeds from early surrendered annuities. As part of his plea agreement, Bernstein paid $107,918.13 in restitution and agreed to forfeit his insurance license. He faces sentencing in October 2025.

A study analyzing FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data from 2021-2024 found that Millennials in Michigan rank third nationally as cybercrime victims, averaging approximately 3,000 scam incidents annually compared to 2,385 for seniors. The higher victimization rate among Millennials is attributed to their greater digital dependence for networking, socializing, shopping, and banking, which makes them more vulnerable targets for criminals than seniors who use technology less frequently.

Prosecutor LaDonna Schulz presented to 50 seniors in Ogemaw County, Michigan, on June 18 about financial elder abuse, explaining that seniors are targeted because they typically have substantial assets and are reluctant to report scams due to embarrassment or fear of losing financial independence. The FBI reported 101,068 fraud complaints from people over 60 in 2023 resulting in $3.4 billion in losses, compared to $360 million lost by people aged 20-29, with common scams including romance fraud, phishing, fake charities, and toll/traffic ticket schemes. Schulz recommended protective measures such as placing credit freezes, setting up

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released an Elder Abuse Task Force newsletter featuring legislative updates, educational resources, and information on scam psychology to help protect older adults. The newsletter highlights new legislation (House Bills 4418-4419) regarding patient consent decisions, free downloadable Power of Attorney forms, and the Michigan Guardianship Diversion Project, while reminding residents that over 100,000 Michigan seniors are victims of elder abuse annually and can report suspected cases by calling 800-24-ABUSE.

The FTC reports a four-fold increase in "transfer it to protect it" scams from 2020-2024, where fraudsters impersonating banks or government agencies convince victims to move money to protect it from fabricated threats. Adults aged 60 and older reported the highest losses, with combined losses exceeding $100,000 reaching $445 million in 2024 (up from $55 million in 2020), though younger consumers are also becoming victims, including an 18-year-old in Michigan who lost $4,800 after receiving a phishing email. Scammers typically initiate contact via phone calls (41% of cases), emails, or pop

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It concerns a federal court ruling blocking the Department of Health and Human Services from sharing Medicaid beneficiaries' healthcare data with the Department of Homeland Security for immigration enforcement purposes, as challenged by Michigan's Attorney General and other states. This is a data privacy and government policy matter unrelated to the Elderus database's focus on elder fraud and scam research.

A Troy, Michigan man lost $6,500 to an employment scam after receiving a fraudulent job offer posing as Pinhero Construction. The scammers used a fake email domain (pinherocareers.com) to convince him he was hired, then instructed him to deposit a check and wire $5,000 for office equipment, followed by an additional $1,500 request via Zelle or Apple Pay for supposed reimbursement. Troy Police report these scams occur one to two times weekly in the area and advise job seekers to independently verify offers and avoid making rushed decisions when pressure is applied.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 50 bipartisan state attorneys general in launching Operation Robocall Roundup, sending warning letters to 37 voice service providers for failing to comply with Federal Communications Commission rules regarding illegal robocalls. The providers had not responded to government traceback requests, registered in the FCC's Robocall Mitigation Database, or filed mitigation plans, with the FCC simultaneously removing seven of these companies from its database to prevent other providers from routing calls through their networks.

A Michigan couple lost $20,000 in a phishing scam after clicking a malicious link in an email impersonating an antivirus service; scammers then sent a courier to collect cash from their home. Police successfully recovered the stolen funds through quick action and investigation, tracing the scam to a Southeast Michigan residence, though two identified suspects remain unarrested. This recovery is rare, as Michigan saw fraud losses surge to $204 million in 2024 (up from $60 million in 2020), with experts emphasizing the importance of verifying sender identity before responding to communications or sending money.

Beth Hyland of Michigan lost $26,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a construction project manager on Tinder, claiming he needed funds for legal fees related to a $10 million job payout in Qatar; when he requested an additional $50,000 a month later, her financial advisor identified the scheme. The scammer used stolen photos from a real man in Germany, and Hyland never met him in person despite their plans to marry and build a life together. She found healing through FightCybercrime.org's peer support group, which has served over 600 romance scam survivors in five years, and now emphasizes that victims experience not only financial loss but

Phone scams are circulating in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, including schemes where callers impersonate Michigan State Police to solicit money or personal information. MSP Lieutenant Ben Eckola advises residents not to provide financial or personal details over the phone and to be cautious of unsolicited calls requesting such information.

A Walgreens shift lead in Farmington Hills, Michigan prevented an elderly customer from losing $500 to a gift card scam after noticing her attempting to purchase gift cards at the urging of an unknown California caller. The employee recognized the scam and informed the customer, who acknowledged she had harbored suspicions but had been persuaded by the caller. The incident highlights the common targeting of elderly individuals by scammers and demonstrates the importance of community vigilance in protecting vulnerable populations.

Michigan State Police warn of an imposter scam where callers falsely claim to represent MSP and tell residents they have missed court dates or committed violations to pressure them into providing personal information. MSP clarified they never call to request sensitive data or payments, and legitimate law enforcement makes in-person contact for official matters. The advisory recommends never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, hanging up on suspected scams, and reporting incidents to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts warning of an uptick in scams impersonating celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military leaders to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency/pig butchering schemes, and merchandise fraud. The scams often exploit people on dating platforms and social media by posing as celebrities to request money, investments, or personal information, with some using AI-generated deepfake audio and video to increase authenticity. Nessel and AARP recommend victims avoid sending money to online contacts, verify caller identities independently, and contact AARP's ElderWatch program at 800-222-4444 for

A 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested in July after conducting a multi-state door-to-door scam targeting seniors across Ohio, Indiana, New Mexico, and Tennessee, defrauding victims of an estimated $309,000 total. One Charlestown, Indiana resident was tricked into withdrawing $27,000 from his retirement accounts and handing it over in cash; three additional attempted scams in Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan were prevented by family members, potentially saving another $70,000 in losses. Liu was apprehended at Louisville airport while attempting to flee the country and faces charges including theft, fraud, conspiracy, an

Chase Bank partnered with the Detroit Police Department to conduct financial wellness workshops for metro Detroit seniors in summer 2025, addressing a significant fraud problem in the region. Michigan residents lost over $200 million to fraud in 2024, with adults 60 and older filing the most fraud complaints and averaging $83,000 in losses per victim; the most common scams impersonate government agencies like the IRS, Medicare, and Social Security. Chase's workshops aim to educate seniors on recognizing warning signs and provide resources for financial protection, while noting that over 40% of scammers targeting seniors are adult children or people known to the victims.

A 56-year-old Michigan woman lost $400 after clicking on a fraudulent Geico phone number in Google search results and unknowingly calling scammers who impersonated the insurance company. The fraudsters obtained her driver's license, VIN, and Social Security number, then instructed her to make a payment via Xfinity using a fake Google Docs form. The victim discovered the scam when she contacted the real Geico and learned no legitimate policy had been created; her bank refunded the $400 pending investigation, though scammers also attempted to contact her adult sons for their personal information.

A 36-year-old Canadian citizen, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in July after a multi-state scam targeting elderly victims, with confirmed losses exceeding $309,000 across Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico, and Tennessee. In the initial Charlestown, Kentucky case, an elderly resident was defrauded of $27,000 after being tricked into withdrawing funds from his retirement account; three additional elderly victims in Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan were nearly victimized for an additional $70,000 before family members intervened. Liu was charged with theft, fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, and police believe there are

**Not Relevant to Elderus Database** This article describes Consumers Energy's infrastructure modernization project and does not involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a utility company news release about pipeline replacement work. This content falls outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.

Kaushalkumar Chaudhary, a 30-year-old Indian national, was sentenced to 63 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $524,947 in restitution for his role as a "money mule" in a wire fraud scheme targeting elderly and vulnerable adults in Michigan and across the U.S. and India during 2023-2024. The conspiracy involved fraudsters impersonating government agencies to convince victims their financial accounts were compromised, then having couriers like Chaudhary pick up cash, gold, and other valuables from victims' homes, with one instance involving $70,000 in gold bars. After serving his sentence, Chau

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers of a scam using caller ID spoofing to impersonate the Department of Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, falsely claiming recipients' accounts would be shut down unless they made immediate payments. The scammers use real department phone numbers to appear legitimate and pressure victims into disclosing personal and financial information. The Attorney General emphasized that the department never calls to demand money or threatens account closures, and urged consumers to report suspicious calls.

Michigan participated in the Department of Justice's 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants nationwide involving over $14.6 billion in false billings and 15.6 million illegally diverted controlled substance pills, with $245 million in assets seized. Two Michigan cases were charged: James Alexander Carthron billed Medicaid approximately $11,000 for 23 telephone visits he did not provide, and Daleena Taree Miller billed Medicaid $8,640 for services she did not render and falsified medical records as a Community Living Support worker.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers of a spoofing scam in which fraudsters impersonate the Department of Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team, using caller ID spoofing to appear as legitimate officials and falsely claiming recipients' information has been "flagged" with credit agencies to extort immediate payment. The Department clarified it never calls to demand money, charge fees, or negotiate debt over the phone, and urged consumers to hang up on such calls and report them directly to the Consumer Protection Team.

Charles Schumer, 75, of Freeland, Michigan, was charged with embezzling over $200,000 from a vulnerable adult relative for whom he served as attorney-in-fact, allegedly transferring retirement assets to his business account and making unauthorized purchases that did not benefit the victim. Schumer faces two 20-year felony counts: Embezzlement of $100,000 or more by an Agent and Embezzlement from a Vulnerable Adult. The case was prosecuted by Michigan's Attorney General Health Care Fraud Division.

Dr. Sophie Toya, a Michigan physician, was sentenced to four years in federal prison on June 26, 2025, for orchestrating a $6.3 million Medicare fraud scheme involving over 7,900 medically unnecessary orthotic braces prescribed to more than 2,600 elderly and disabled patients, often without clinical evaluation or patient contact. Toya used deceptive television advertisements and telehealth consultations to solicit prescriptions, with some patients receiving multiple braces in single visits and undercover agents obtaining prescriptions after less than one-minute phone calls. In addition to her prison sentence, Toya was ordered to pay $3.6 million in restit

Jason Garza, 45, of Wyandotte, Michigan, was charged with embezzling over $166,000 from his employer, Montway Auto Transport, between 2021 and 2022 by offering customers unauthorized discounts in exchange for direct payments via peer-to-peer payment apps, which he kept for personal use rather than remitting to the company. He faces six felony charges including three counts of embezzlement ranging from $1,000 to over $100,000 and three counts of using a computer to commit a crime, with potential sentences up to 20 years.

In response to rising scam cases in Metro Detroit, Chase and the Detroit Police Department hosted a workshop for seniors to educate them on common fraud tactics and prevention strategies, coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Month. According to the FBI, individuals 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with Michigan residents alone losing over $206 million to fraud last year, and the average victim losing $35,101. The workshop emphasized the motto "trust but verify" and covered common scams including impersonation, spoofing, phishing, and vishing, recommending that seniors verify contacts, avoid sharing personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, an

A 53-year-old Michigan administrative assistant lost $26,000 to a romance scam involving a man posing as a French project manager named "Richard" who used deepfake videos during Skype calls to appear authentic. Over several months, the scammer emotionally manipulated the victim into taking out loans under the pretense of needing legal and translation help in Qatar, then disappeared when confronted. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams, with projections estimating eight million deepfakes will be shared worldwide in 2025, approximately one-fifth of which involve romantic fraud schemes.

DMV text message scams, known as "smishing," are expanding across multiple states including Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, California, Michigan, and North Carolina, with earlier warnings issued in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. These fraudulent texts falsely claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets or outstanding bills and threaten consequences like vehicle registration loss, driving privilege suspension, or credit score damage unless they click a link and pay. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients not to click links or respond, instead contacting their state DMV directly through official channels and reporting the messages to their wireless provider, the FTC, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Better Business Bureau of Northwest and West Central Ohio and Southeast Michigan operates ScamGuard, an educational program launched three years ago to protect seniors from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. The program warns older adults about common scams including telephone/tech support scams, gift card tampering, fake charities, grandparent scams, sweepstakes fraud, and online dating schemes, providing practical advice such as verifying unfamiliar callers, researching charities before donating, and never sending money to individuals met only online.

Michigan residents are being targeted by text message scams falsely claiming they owe tolls through EZ-Pass or the DMV, with scammers directing victims to fraudulent links to steal credit card information. The Michigan Department of Transportation warns that these scams are not legitimate—MDOT operates no toll roads and never contacts residents via text or email about payments. Residents should avoid clicking links in suspicious toll-related messages and instead contact official agencies directly before making any payments.

Adult Protective Services in Macomb and Michigan released an annual report on efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation among the growing senior population. The article highlights a significant barrier to assistance: many seniors lack knowledge of available support systems, as illustrated by the case of Shirley Cook from Clinton Township, who relocated multiple times to escape abuse but struggled to navigate available resources.

Law enforcement in Michigan warns that scammers use urgency and secrecy to target victims, particularly seniors, requesting payment via hard-to-trace methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. Common tactics include impersonating government agencies, using AI-generated calls, posing as family members or romantic interests on social media, and demanding payment for fictitious warrants or debts. Authorities advise victims to immediately freeze accounts, file police reports, avoid clicking suspicious links, verify caller identities through independent searches, and remember that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment via gift cards.

Michigan residents, particularly in the west, have received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Michigan Department of Transportation and toll companies like E-Z Pass, pressuring them to pay fake outstanding toll balances through malicious links to steal personal and financial information. The scam has spread nationwide with 60,000 complaints reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2024, originating from various area codes including overseas servers, making prosecution difficult. Residents should ignore these texts, never click embedded links, and verify toll obligations directly through official websites or by contacting MDOT at 517-241-2400, as legitimate toll bills in Michigan are sent by mail only.

Beth Hyland, a Michigan administrative assistant, was targeted by a romance scam artist who posed as a Frenchman named "Richard" on Tinder, using deepfake videos during Skype calls and stolen photos to deceive her. The scammer manipulated her emotionally by presenting himself as a potential romantic partner while employing AI-generated deepfakes, which are difficult to detect without specialized tools.

A 53-year-old Michigan woman was deceived in a romance scam involving deepfake technology, where a scammer posing as a French man named "Richard" used AI-generated video calls and fake photos to manipulate her into taking out loans totaling $26,000. The scam exemplifies a growing threat, with projections of 8 million deepfakes to be shared globally in 2025—approximately one-fifth of which will be used in romance scams—as scammers increasingly employ artificial intelligence to impersonate romantic interests.

Scammers are impersonating Garth Brooks on dating apps and social media, convincing victims they are in romantic relationships with the country singer before requesting money, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. This romance scam scheme has also targeted impersonations of Kid Rock and Snoop Dogg, with perpetrators using elaborate tactics to extract funds from unsuspecting fans.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts about a rising trend of scams impersonating celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military leaders. The scams include romance fraud, cryptocurrency/pig butchering schemes, merchandise fraud, and AI-generated deepfake audio and video impersonations designed to extract money from victims. The alert advises consumers never to send money or personal information to online contacts claiming to be celebrities or officials, to verify requests through trusted contacts, and to be wary of urgent investment opportunities or requests for banking details.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of a surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate celebrities like Garth Brooks, Snoop Dogg, and Kid Rock, as well as military officials, to steal money from victims. The scams typically involve romance schemes, cryptocurrency/"pig butchering" investment frauds, and merchandise purchases, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to create convincing audio and video impersonations. The attorney general advised consumers never to send money to online contacts, avoid sharing personal or financial information with strangers, and to be wary of high-pressure tactics, unusual payment requests, and demands for gift cards or cryptocurrency.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers about a rising trend of scams impersonating celebrities (including Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and Kid Rock) and military leaders to defraud victims. The scams include romance schemes, cryptocurrency/pig butchering investment frauds, and merchandise scams, often using AI-generated deepfakes to appear authentic. Nessel advised consumers never to send money to online contacts claiming to be celebrities, to verify requests through trusted contacts, and to avoid sharing personal or financial information with unverified online sources.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of a surge in online scams where perpetrators impersonate celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military/government officials to defraud victims. Common schemes include romance scams, cryptocurrency/pig butchering fraud, merchandise scams, and AI-generated deepfake calls, with scammers using high-pressure tactics and requests for money via untraceable methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. The advisory recommends never sending money to online contacts, verifying identities through official channels, and avoiding sharing personal or financial information with unverified online sources.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a public advisory warning residents about increasingly common celebrity impersonation scams, in which fraudsters pose as famous figures like Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and Kid Rock to deceive victims into sending money. Common schemes include romance scams (where victims believe they're in relationships with celebrities and send substantial sums), cryptocurrency/investment scams, and merchandise fraud; one notable case involved a French woman who sent over $800,000 to someone impersonating Brad Pitt. Nessel advises never sending money to online contacts, avoiding pressure to rush into relationships, and consulting trusted contacts before engaging with strangers on social media.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning of an uptick in celebrity impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, and Garth Brooks to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and merchandise fraud. The scams often exploit victims on dating apps and social media by building fake relationships or promoting fake investment opportunities, with scammers using AI to create convincing voice and video impersonations. The AG recommends victims avoid sending money to online contacts, verify caller information independently, and report scams to the Department of Attorney General.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a warning about increasing celebrity impersonation scams targeting state residents, involving fraudsters posing as celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and military leaders to perpetrate romance scams, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" schemes, and merchandise fraud. Common tactics include creating deepfake audio and videos, using high-pressure tactics and fear appeals, and requesting money, sensitive information, or unusual payment methods. The attorney general advises victims to avoid sending money to online contacts, never share personal or financial information with strangers online, and report suspected scams to Michigan's Consumer Protection Team.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of an uptick in celebrity-impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as famous figures like Snoop Dogg and Garth Brooks to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency/investment schemes, or merchandise fraud. The AG advised residents to never send money or personal information to online contacts claiming to be celebrities, and to verify requests through official channels before responding.

A Warren, Michigan man, Mohammad Gazi, was charged with false pretenses and computer fraud after a senior citizen from Oakland County lost over $40,000 in a tech support scam. The victim received calls from someone impersonating a McAfee Computer Security representative who claimed funds were mistakenly deposited in her account and instructed her to withdraw and hand over cash on three separate occasions; she became suspicious after a fourth contact and alerted police, leading to Gazi's arrest through a sting operation.

Michigan's senior centers face significant funding inequities as the state's rapidly aging population strains its services. Well-funded centers like Rochester's OPC operate with comprehensive programs and modern amenities supported by local millages, while underfunded centers like Plymouth's operate limited hours and struggle to survive on cobbled-together budgets from municipal contributions and grants. Twelve of Michigan's 83 counties lack dedicated senior care taxes, creating a "have and have-nots" system that limits seniors' access to activities proven crucial for combating dementia and extending life.

Michigan's senior centers face a crisis due to inconsistent state funding, creating stark inequities in services available to older adults. Well-funded centers like Rochester's OPC offer comprehensive activities (pickleball, tai chi, pools) supported by local millages, while under-resourced centers like Plymouth's operate part-time with minimal budgets and struggle to survive without dedicated tax support. As Michigan's population ages faster than most states, advocates call for systemic change to ensure equitable access to senior recreation and services across all communities.

Online scammers stole a record $12.5 billion from consumers in 2024, with text message scams alone accounting for $470 million in losses and phone scams averaging $1,500 per victim. Michigan Legacy Credit Union partnered with Wayne State University's Institute of Gerontology to train employees in fraud prevention, enabling staff to identify and stop scams through careful questioning—such as one incident where a teller prevented a woman from withdrawing $20,000 after confirming her daughter was not actually in jail. The initiative focuses on educating consumers and front-line workers to recognize common impersonation schemes involving government agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, and local

**Title:** Older Adults Embracing AI Tools for Daily Living with Growing Educational Support Older adults across the country are increasingly using AI-powered tools such as voice assistants (Alexa, Siri, Google Home), chatbots (ChatGPT), and health wearables to simplify daily tasks, improve medication adherence, and support independent aging. Educational programs like AARP's Senior Planet and Michigan's GetSetUp offer free or low-cost classes to help seniors learn these technologies, with research showing that older adults respond positively to user-friendly AI applications for household control, health monitoring, and personal productivity, though experts recommend caution when using AI for medical