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KBWB Operations LLC (doing business as Atrium Health and Senior Living) and its former CEO Kevin Breslin pleaded guilty to health care fraud and tax conspiracy for operating 23 skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Michigan from 2015-2018. The defendants unlawfully diverted Medicare and Medicaid funds intended for resident care to personal expenses and owner distributions, failed to pay vendors and employee insurance premiums, and directed withheld employee taxes not to be paid to the IRS. Breslin faces up to 10 years in prison for health care fraud and five years for tax conspiracy, with both defendants subject to restitution and sentencing scheduled for May 7

**Summary:** An elder law attorney from Marquette argues against the Credit Card Competition Act (S. 1838), stating that while the bill claims to promote competition, it would actually reduce fraud protections and jeopardize rewards programs that seniors and working families rely on for essential expenses. The author warns that the legislation would benefit large retailers while leaving consumers more vulnerable to fraud and urges Michigan's senators to oppose the bill.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued guidance on avoiding emergency repair scams during extreme cold weather, warning that fraudsters exploit urgent situations like burst pipes and broken furnaces to deceive homeowners. The advisory recommends verifying contractor credentials, obtaining multiple written estimates, checking references and online reviews, and avoiding payment demands upfront or in cash before hiring any professional. Victims of repair scams can file complaints with the Michigan Attorney General's office through multiple channels.

A Traverse City convenience store lost $10,000 in a lottery ticket scam where suspects purchased large quantities of tickets using stolen credit cards, then cashed them through the Michigan Lottery app before the fraud was detected. The scam has affected multiple businesses across Michigan from the Upper Peninsula to south of Cadillac, with suspects believed to originate from the Battle Creek area and operating as an organized ring rather than isolated individuals. Police advise store employees to be alert for customers attempting to buy thousands of dollars in lottery tickets with failing credit cards and to call 911 immediately if such activity occurs.

The Michigan State Police Alpena Post issued a warning about rising online and phone scams, noting that the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received 880,418 complaints with losses exceeding $12.5 billion in 2023. Common scams reported locally include computer antivirus pop-up scams requesting financial information or remote access, and threatening extortion emails demanding payment via bitcoin or gift cards. The MSP advised citizens never to make payments through cash apps or gift cards to unknown sources, never share banking information over the phone, and never click links in suspicious emails.

An 84-year-old Canton, Michigan woman was scammed out of $65,000 after receiving a cold call from someone posing as a senior fraud officer at her bank, who falsely claimed she owed money due to an account error and convinced her to make three withdrawals. Canton police conducted a sting operation and arrested one suspect before the final $25,000 could be stolen, though an accomplice remains at large. The article also notes that research indicates financial literacy and cognitive engagement may help seniors resist scams and maintain financial independence as they age.

Two impersonator scams are currently active in Michigan targeting residents. The first involves a scammer posing as "Sgt. Common" claiming to represent law enforcement and requesting callbacks about "confidential legal matters," while the second involves someone named "Isaac Miller" impersonating Publishers Clearing House and demanding $500 upfront for a fake "claimer's card" to collect a nonexistent prize. The Ingham County Sheriff's Office advises residents not to engage with these callers and to contact legitimate authorities directly, noting that real law enforcement and prize notifications never demand upfront payment.

Sports fans attending events in downtown Detroit during high-traffic periods face multiple parking-related scams, including fraudulent parking tickets with QR codes directing victims to fake websites and fake text messages impersonating the city's parking department (using fake domains like detroit-mi.com instead of detroitmi.gov). Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warns that such scams can result in vehicles being ticketed, towed, or stolen, and advises verifying parking tickets through official city websites ending in ".gov" and confirming that texts about parking violations are sent through official mail channels, not text messages.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned Detroit Lions fans in January 2025 to be cautious when purchasing playoff game tickets online, as scammers exploit excitement around the team's playoff run. Common ticket scams include payment app fraud (using P2P services like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle) and fake check schemes where buyers send counterfeit checks for more than the ticket price and request refunds. Nessel recommends only purchasing tickets through official sources and remaining vigilant about sharing personal information or accepting suspicious payment methods.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned Lions fans about ticket scams ahead of the playoffs, advising buyers to purchase from reputable websites using credit cards and to avoid money transfer apps like CashApp and Venmo that offer limited fraud protection. The alert also cautioned against common scams including overpayment check schemes, impersonation calls from fake bank representatives, and unsecured websites, emphasizing that banks never request customers send money to verify transactions.

Frank Andrew Stevens, 62, a former Colorado oil and gas company owner, pleaded guilty to defrauding the State of Michigan by submitting false sales reports in 2016, underreporting his company's oil sales by nearly $34,000 ($77,852 actual vs. $43,951 reported). As part of the plea agreement, Stevens agreed to pay $15,000 in restitution to Michigan and faces sentencing in December 2025, following completion of a 15-month federal prison sentence for related tax evasion charges.

An 84-year-old Canton, Michigan woman was defrauded of $65,000 in December 2024 after scammers posing as bank fraud officers convinced her she owed money due to an account error. Li Biao, a Chinese national in the country illegally, was arrested while collecting the third scheduled payment of $25,000 after police set up surveillance at the victim's home, and he faces felony charges for fraud and obstructing police. A second suspect remains at large, though Canton Police recovered at least the final $25,000 and emphasized the importance of hanging up on unsolicited calls and contacting banks directly rather than following caller instructions.

The Better Business Bureau of West Michigan reported that online purchase scams were the top scam of 2024, followed by phishing and employment scams, with victims losing significant money particularly when attempting to buy pets online. The BBB advises consumers to research companies before purchasing, be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true, and use credit cards for transactions, noting that even small individual losses accumulate across hundreds of victims statewide.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts on travel club and health club memberships as part of her 2024 holiday scam campaign, warning consumers to carefully review contracts before signing, understand cancellation and refund policies, and avoid long-term prepaid agreements that may result in financial loss. The guidance recommends consumers budget carefully, inquire about additional fees, request month-to-month payment options when possible, and review all contract terms including fine print before committing to memberships.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel encourages residents to regularly check their free weekly credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion through AnnualCreditReport.com to detect fraudulent activity and protect themselves from scammers. Reviewing credit reports helps identify inaccurate or suspicious information that could affect credit scores and loan approvals, and residents should be cautious of spoofed or fraudulent sites offering credit reports.

A text scam circulating in Michigan falsely notifies recipients of unpaid parking violations with threatened $35 late fees, impersonating Detroit's Park Detroit app but originating from fraudsters. Red flags include incorrect area codes, .com website endings instead of .gov, and spelling errors; officials urge recipients to ignore and delete such messages immediately. Police also warn drivers against scanning QR codes placed on parking meters, advising them to report any suspicious codes to local authorities.

A 30-year-old man was arrested in Canton, Michigan, after attempting to defraud an 84-year-old woman by posing as a bank fraud officer and convincing her to withdraw $25,000 in cash over four days. Police apprehended the suspect when he arrived at the victim's home to collect the money on December 17, preventing the theft. The suspect, identified as Li Biao, a Chinese national illegally in the United States, was charged with fraudulent false pretenses and assaulting/resisting police, held on a $100,000 cash bond.

A 30-year-old man was arrested in Canton, Michigan in December after attempting to defraud an 84-year-old woman through an impersonation scam. The suspect posed as a bank fraud officer and convinced the elderly victim to withdraw between $20,000-$50,000 over four days for two pickups, but was caught during a third attempted pickup after the victim's family discovered the suspicious activity. He was charged with fraudulent false pretenses and assaulting a police officer, with bond set at $100,000 cash.

An 84-year-old Canton, Michigan woman was targeted by a phone scam in December 2024 in which a caller impersonated a bank "senior fraud officer" and instructed her to withdraw cash for a supposed security purpose; the scheme succeeded twice before family members detected suspicious bank activity and alerted police. Li Biao, a 30-year-old undocumented Chinese national, was arrested on December 17, 2024, when he arrived at the victim's home to collect $25,000 in cash, and was charged with fraudulent false pretenses and resisting police. Police emphasized the importance of monitoring elderly relatives for warning signs such as sudden financial changes, large

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It describes a planned road construction project involving utility relocation and traffic detours in Traverse City, Michigan—not elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. No summarization is needed for this content.

This is an informational resource page from the Michigan Department of Attorney General detailing senior protection services. The Health Care Fraud Division investigates fraudulent activity by health care providers in the Medicaid program, including misappropriation of patient trust funds and identity theft in care facilities, while the Elder Abuse Task Force works to prevent financial exploitation of nursing home residents. The page provides contact information for multiple state agencies and resources available to report fraud and abuse or seek assistance.

This is not an article about fraud or elder abuse. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert reminding shoppers to review store return policies before purchasing or returning holiday gifts, noting that policies vary by retailer and typically have time limits. The alert advises consumers to check return policies in-store or online before making trips, keep documentation, and escalate to managers or dispute charges with credit card companies if returns are wrongfully refused.

Matthew Ramos-Soto, a 27-year-old from Connecticut, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state grandparent scam targeting elderly victims. Operating as a courier posing as a bail bondsman, Ramos-Soto collected over $250,000 from victims across the United States between October 2022 and June 2023, as part of a larger fraud network that contacted elderly people claiming their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money. The scheme, which operated across multiple states including Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, Rhode Island, and California, resulted in restitution being ordered and prompted federal authorities to emphasize the importance of

A "brushing scam" is targeting victims across multiple states, including Michigan, involving unsolicited Amazon packages sent to recipients' addresses. The packages contain QR codes that, when scanned, direct victims to malicious websites designed to steal personal information; police advise recipients to safely discard such packages without scanning any codes.

Matthew Ramos-Soto, a 27-year-old Hartford man, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for participating in a wire fraud scheme targeting elderly victims nationwide. Operating as a fake bail bondsman between October 2022 and June 2023, Ramos-Soto and his network collected over $250,000 from victims in Wisconsin alone by posing as relatives or attorneys and claiming arrestees needed bail money; he picked up funds from victims at 18 locations across the country before his arrest in Michigan. The scheme involved international scammers calling elderly targets with false arrest scenarios while Ramos-Soto and other couriers collected the money in person, an

Matthew Ramos-Soto, 27, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role as a courier in a grandparent scam wire fraud scheme targeting elderly victims across the United States. Between October 2022 and June 2023, Ramos-Soto and co-conspirators picked up over $250,000 in cash from victims by posing as bail bondsmen, claiming their relatives had been arrested in accidents; he personally collected money from victims at 18 different locations before his arrest in Michigan in June 2023. The case resulted in federal charges filed across multiple districts, with authorities encouraging victims and witnesses to report fraud to the National Elder

Police across multiple states, including Michigan, are warning residents about "brushing scams" in which unsolicited packages containing items like bracelets, necklaces, or speakers arrive at homes with QR codes inside. Scanning these QR codes transmits personal information from the recipient's phone—including banking data and other sensitive details—directly to scammers, compromising the device. Authorities advise residents not to scan QR codes found in unfamiliar packages or from unknown sources.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers about AI-enabled scams during the holiday season, specifically targeting voice cloning fraud where scammers impersonate loved ones in distress to demand money through untraceable payment methods. Nessel recommends establishing family verification phrases, not trusting caller ID, verifying suspicious calls through known numbers, and being wary of unusual payment requests. Victims should report incidents to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission (877-382-4357), their bank, or the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team (877-765-8388).

Multiple financial scams targeting older adults in Portage, Michigan involved callers impersonating family members claiming distress, posing as tech support or bank representatives, and using couriers to collect cash payments. The Portage Department of Public Safety is investigating the incidents and asking anyone with information to contact local authorities.

The Michigan Lottery warned residents of ongoing scams in which fraudsters either impersonate lottery officials claiming the victim has won and demand fees to collect the prize, or claim to have won themselves and offer to share winnings if the victim sends money first. Scammers request payment via cashier's check, electronic transfer, or cash, and may contact victims repeatedly for additional "fees" or "processing costs." Michigan Lottery officials emphasized that legitimate lottery prizes require no fees to claim and that anyone unsolicited claiming you've won is attempting fraud.

**Summary:** David White, 67, of Union City, Michigan, was convicted of criminal enterprise, embezzlement, and tax evasion for stealing at least $400,000 from the John Stirling White Trust between 2014 and 2019, which he controlled as co-trustee after his father's death. White prevented distribution of trust assets to beneficiaries and concealed his misappropriation by refusing to produce financial records until he was removed as trustee in 2019. He faces sentencing on January 23, 2025, on charges including two felony counts of embezzlement exceeding $50,000 and six counts of tax evasion.

WSMV4 Investigates documented a multi-city funeral scam in which solicitors hold signs featuring photos of children who allegedly died, requesting money for funeral expenses. The investigation found the same gray 2007 KIA van with an Arizona temporary tag being used in both Nashville, Tennessee and Grand Rapids, Michigan, with solicitors becoming hostile and aggressive when confronted, and police indicated those involved could be charged with theft by fraudulent means.

A University of Michigan study found that seniors experiencing undiagnosed memory decline lost an average of $31,000 over two years due to poor investment decisions and susceptibility to scams, while those aware of their cognitive decline limited losses to about $5,400 by delegating financial decisions to trusted advisors. Over 60% of Americans age 50 and older experienced some memory decline, but only 20% of those with significant loss were aware of it, making them vulnerable to risky financial choices and fraud schemes that cost older adults more than $36 billion annually. The article advises seniors to seek professional help if experiencing memory issues, involve trusted family members or financial advisors in financial decisions, an

Yulonda Eckel, 56, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining two Paycheck Protection Program loans by falsely claiming to be a sole proprietor with $104,900 in annual business income. Eckel agreed to pay $47,660 in restitution, of which $25,827 was paid upfront, and faces sentencing on January 16, 2025.

Monroe County authorities are warning residents about a rising wave of cryptocurrency scams delivered via email, text, and phone calls that impersonate government agencies, lottery services, tech support, and romance schemes to trick victims into sending money or personal information. Michiganders lost nearly $80 million to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with one Northville Township resident defrauded of approximately $300,000. Authorities emphasize that legitimate government agencies never demand payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards and always offer cash payment options in person.

An elderly man from Elba Township, Michigan was nearly defrauded of $24,500 in October after receiving a fake email about a Bitcoin purchase and being instructed to withdraw cash to "repay" funds. The Lapeer County Sheriff's Office successfully recovered the full amount after the victim's daughter memorized the scammer's license plate and the bank manager reported suspicious activity, leading to the suspect's vehicle being located in Detroit. The case remains under investigation, and authorities remind residents to be cautious of unsolicited communications.

This article does not contain information about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse, so it is not suitable for the Elderus database. The article concerns a criminal threat case involving a Michigan prisoner charged with threatening Governor Whitmer, which falls outside the scope of elder fraud research.

This article warns about a vacant land scam affecting prospective property buyers in Marquette, Michigan. A local realtor discusses how the scam operates and provides protective measures for consumers interested in purchasing vacant land.

A West Michigan mother received a voice cloning scam call claiming her daughter was kidnapped and demanding $50,000 in ransom. After her husband contacted dispatch, they verified their daughter was safe at her apartment. The Better Business Bureau identified the scam as voice cloning, and the mother is now warning others about this fraud tactic.

Everette Jhamal Thibou, 32, of Tampa, Florida, was sentenced to 168 months in prison as the sixth defendant in an international fraud scheme that defrauded 50 elderly victims of $11 million across West Michigan and the country. The scam used fake virus warnings and impersonations of tech companies and federal agents to trick victims into sending cash, wire transfers, and gift cards through various methods. Thibou and five other U.S.-based defendants collected fraud proceeds on behalf of scammers located in India, with a seventh defendant still at large.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a statement from Michigan's Attorney General regarding a non-citizen voting allegation in the 2024 election. This falls outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on fraud and abuse targeting elderly individuals.

Leroy Artemus Tolbert, III, a 35-year-old from Michigan, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after fraudulently applying for Lowe's credit cards using another person's identity and purchasing approximately $100,000 in merchandise across multiple states including West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Tolbert has agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution and faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It reports on a voter fraud case where a 56-year-old Michigan woman was bound over for trial for allegedly voting twice in the 2024 August Primary Election—once by absentee ballot and once in person. The case is a criminal matter involving election integrity rather than fraud targeting vulnerable populations.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit against Donald Peltier of Massachusetts for operating fraudulent political websites using names like "democraticnationalcommittee.co" and "republicannationalcommittee.org" to solicit donations from the public. The case highlights the need for donors to verify organizations through the Federal Election Commission database, avoid unsolicited fundraising requests, and be especially cautious of scams targeting seniors.

Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages claiming recipients are not registered to vote, directing them to fake websites like all-vote.com and votewin.org to harvest personal information including names, addresses, emails, dates of birth, and phone numbers. Election officials in Michigan and Pennsylvania warned voters to be cautious of these messages, which can be identified as scams by their unsolicited nature, suspicious domains, requests for unnecessary personal data, and grammatical errors. To verify voter registration safely, Americans should use the official government website vote.gov rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.

Dr. Rainna Furnari Brazil, 57, a Michigan osteopathic physician, pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of insurance fraud after collecting over $400,000 in disability payments from Unum Life Insurance Company between 2017 and 2021 while continuing to work as a practicing physician. Brazil agreed to pay $458,962 in restitution, with her sentencing reduced from multiple felony charges to potentially one charge if she pays the full amount during an 11-month delayed sentence period.

Michigan residents lost approximately $80 million to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with scammers impersonating government agencies and demanding payment via bitcoin or gift cards for fines and tickets. Michigan State Police and local law enforcement agencies warned residents that legitimate government agencies never request payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards, and advised victims to contact the actual agency directly if contacted by such scammers. One Northville Township resident was defrauded of roughly $300,000 in a similar scheme.

Michigan has over 73,000 older adult victims of elder abuse annually, experiencing scams, fraud, theft, and exploitation that cause serious physical and psychological harm. The Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee unanimously advanced four bills (SB 922-925) designed to strengthen protections for vulnerable adults by enhancing penalties for abuse and financial exploitation, creating personal protection orders for seniors, extending prosecutions beyond victims' deaths, and establishing multidisciplinary teams to prevent and investigate elder abuse.

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The cybercriminal group "Vanilla Tempest" (also known as Vice Society) has shifted to using INC Ransom malware to attack U.S. healthcare organizations, marking their sixth malware variant since 2022 in what Microsoft assesses is an effort to evade detection and increase extortion success. The group, which has primarily targeted educational institutions since July 2022, also attacks hospitals and local governments using tactics including PowerShell scripts, legitimate tools, and publicly disclosed vulnerability exploits for initial access. A notable August 2024 attack claimed by INC Ransom affiliates hit McLaren Health Care in Michigan, causing several weeks of IT disruption before recovery.