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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.

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).

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.

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

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

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 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

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Gift card scams involving manipulated cards are becoming increasingly common, with scammers either placing fake barcodes over legitimate ones or scratching off security codes to drain funds before purchase. Consumers should inspect gift cards for signs of tampering such as layered barcodes, missing security codes, or damaged packaging, and immediately contact the gift card issuer (not the store) if tampering is suspected, as gift cards lack the consumer protections of credit cards and function like cash once compromised.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

**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.

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

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It concerns a legal ruling in a 2020 domestic terrorism case involving a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The article is outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on fraud and abuse affecting older adults.

**Summary:** Shelley Letzer, 67, of West Bloomfield, Michigan was charged with four felonies for financially exploiting an 87-year-old vulnerable adult in her care, including fraudulently obtaining power of attorney and embezzling thousands of dollars through unauthorized checks. Letzer and her co-defendant Kirk Lanam allegedly exploited the elderly man despite knowing he had a court-appointed guardian, with Letzer facing charges for embezzlement of between $1,000-$20,000 and fraudulently obtaining a signature.

Shelley Letzer, 67, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, was arraigned on four felony charges including three counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult and fraudulent obtaining of a signature for allegedly exploiting an 87-year-old man with her co-defendant Kirk Lanam. The pair allegedly obtained power of attorney over the victim under false pretenses and used it to write checks to themselves, with Letzer accused of embezzling thousands from the vulnerable man who already had an appointed guardian. Letzer faces up to five years per embezzlement count and ten years for the signature fraud charge.

A Michigan man and woman were charged with financially exploiting an 87-year-old Rochester Hills resident through fraudulent power of attorney, with one defendant embezzling over $400,000 and the other stealing thousands through unauthorized checks. A Michigan State University study in rural communities found that preventative training for family caregivers and seniors, combined with caseworker follow-up visits, effectively empowers people to identify and prevent financial exploitation of older adults. Michigan reports increasing financial exploitation cases, with over 4,000 referrals in fiscal year 2024, and research shows that even basic community education can raise awareness and help prevent elder fraud.

Michigan State Police are warning businesses across the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula about a fraud scheme involving stolen credit cards and lottery scratch-off tickets, with related cases also reported in Wisconsin and Nebraska. Scammers purchase large quantities of lottery tickets using stolen credit cards by requesting manual entry of card information, then quickly cash in winning tickets before the fraud is discovered. Businesses are advised to refuse manual credit card processing, limit lottery ticket purchases, and verify card legitimacy when transactions seem suspicious.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned residents about a government imposter scam involving fraudulent letters claiming recipients owe overdue taxes and threatening property seizure if they call a specified number to pay. The fake letters use personal information from public records and official-looking forms to appear credible, but the actual Michigan Department of Treasury sends official correspondence through the U.S. Postal Service with governor and treasurer names on letterhead. Residents are advised to contact the Treasury Department directly to verify suspicious letters and report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission or Attorney General's office.

Two Indian nationals were convicted in federal court for operating a massive money laundering scheme that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana through "phantom hacker" scams between May and November 2023. Pranay Kumar Mamidi and Kishan Vinayak Patel posed as customer service representatives and fake law enforcement agents (impersonating Amazon, FTC, and DEA) to trick elderly and unsuspecting victims into converting their life savings to cash or gold bars for purported "investigations," with tens of millions of dollars laundered through their U.S.-based operation connected to a criminal network in India. Both defendants face up to 20 years in prison for each money

**Summary:** Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel expanded the Auto Insurance Fraud Unit into the Auto Fraud Task Force to combat both auto insurance fraud and vehicle theft, which increased 48.4 percent over five years with 28,408 reported thefts in 2023. The task force partnered with Michigan State Police to embed a dedicated prosecutor targeting organized auto theft rings in Metro Detroit and collaborated with the FORCE Team, which has charged 14 defendants in connection with hundreds of vehicle thefts in Southeast Michigan.

FBI warned Gmail users nationwide, including in Michigan, of sophisticated AI-powered phishing scams impersonating Google support staff who contact victims by phone (with spoofed caller ID) and follow up with emails requesting account recovery codes that grant scammers access. The scam is particularly dangerous because it uses AI technology to create highly believable impersonations, with even tech-savvy victims describing it as "the most sophisticated phishing attack" they've encountered. The FBI advises never responding to unsolicited contact from companies claiming to be Google, banks, or other support services, and instead independently contacting those companies to verify any suspicious communications.

An Ottawa County, Michigan man lost $23,000 to a tech support scam after a fraudulent Apple security alert appeared on his computer, instructing him to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin. The scammer used shame tactics, falsely claiming the victim had authorized suspicious transactions involving gambling and illegal content, then instructed him to lie to his bank teller about the purpose of the withdrawal. Ottawa County Detective Joe Monger reports handling approximately 40 fraud cases, noting that common scams include romance, grandparent, and tech support schemes, with AI technology making scams harder to detect.

Lenawee County TRIAD is hosting a free educational workshop called "Shield Against Scams" on March 12th in Onsted, Michigan, designed to teach older adults how to recognize and prevent fraud targeting seniors. The event will feature Cory Reindel, a certified fraud examiner and senior fraud investigator, who will discuss common scams, warning signs, and protection strategies, followed by a Q&A session for personalized advice.

The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to watch for IRS impersonation scams during tax season, including phishing emails, fake phone calls demanding payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, and fraudulent mailing scams requesting personal information. To protect themselves, taxpayers should file early, use an Identity Protection PIN, verify they're on the official IRS website, remember that the IRS contacts by mail first, and work with trustworthy tax professionals. Victims of tax identity theft should contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 and file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

**Summary:** Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 23 state attorneys general in filing an amicus brief to support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and its federal employees, following the Trump administration's directive to halt ongoing investigations into deceptive and abusive financial conduct. The CFPB has returned over $20 billion to defrauded consumers since its 2011 creation, and the coalition warns that shutting down the agency could reduce oversight of major banks and prevent consumers from reporting fraud, potentially recreating conditions similar to those preceding the 2008 financial crisis.

Matthew Mencarelli, a 39-year-old from Kent County, Michigan, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for defrauding 15 investors of $1.6 million through a Ponzi-like scheme that began in 2018. He solicited funds from family and social acquaintances by falsely claiming to have lucrative infrastructure contracts in Traverse City, guaranteed high returns, and used the money for personal expenses including a $400,000 home while using new investor funds to pay earlier investors. When unable to repay investors, he allegedly threatened them and forged documents to perpetuate the fraud.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Bankers Association launched the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign during National Consumer Protection Week to educate consumers about phishing scams, which are on the rise. The campaign advises that legitimate banks never request confidential information via unsolicited calls, emails, or texts, and provides guidance on how to identify suspicious communications and report them to the FTC, Anti-Phishing Working Group, and state authorities. Resources include an interactive website at BanksNeverAskThat.com with videos, quizzes, and a video game, plus Spanish-language materials.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reported that the state's Consumer Protection Team received over 10,000 written complaints and 20,000 phone calls in 2024, recovering $1.9 million for consumers through mediation, settlements, and refunds. The top complaint categories were internet/online purchases, retail delivery issues, motor vehicle sales, credit/financial concerns, personal services, health services, landlord/tenant disputes, utilities, contractors, and telecommunications billing problems.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel highlighted ongoing efforts to combat illegal robocalls during National Consumer Protection Week, noting that Michigan residents filed 32,647 robocall complaints in fiscal year 2024. The Attorney General's office has received over 14,000 robocall complaints since launching its crackdown initiative in 2019 and has taken enforcement action against voice service providers and companies transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic. The article advises consumers to avoid providing personal information to suspicious callers, be wary of payment requests via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and report suspected fraud immediately.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a consumer alert on "pig butchering" scams during National Consumer Protection Week, describing a sophisticated fraud that combines romance scams with cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting seniors. The scam typically begins with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating apps or social media to build trust with victims before gradually introducing fake investment opportunities in cryptocurrency, often promising unrealistic returns. Nessel and AARP experts recommend consumers avoid sending money to online-only contacts, never share financial information with strangers, and be suspicious of unsolicited investment opportunities, with AARP's ElderWatch program available to help at 800-222-4444.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert during National Consumer Protection Week about "pig butchering" scams, which combine romance fraud with cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting seniors. The scam operates by criminals building trust with victims through fake online profiles on dating sites and social media, then gradually persuading them to invest in bogus cryptocurrency opportunities through fraudulent websites. Consumers are advised to avoid sending money to online contacts, refrain from sharing financial information with strangers, be skeptical of promises of quick returns, and contact AARP's ElderWatch program at 800-222-4444 for peer counseling if they suspect fraud.

Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with investment scams accounting for nearly half at $5.7 billion and bank transfers and cryptocurrency being the most commonly exploited payment methods. The Federal Trade Commission data shows 38% of consumers reported losing money to fraud in 2024, up from 27% in 2023, with the number of fraud reports remaining stable at 2.6 million. Michigan consumers alone reported $204 million in losses, with seniors ages 60+ losing $45.9 million, though younger consumers are also increasingly victimized.