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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

**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.

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

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.

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 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

John Burkman and Jacob Wohl pleaded no contest to orchestrating racially targeted robocalls in Detroit during the 2020 election that falsely warned nearly 12,000 Black voters that mail-in voting would expose their personal information to police, debt collectors, and federal health authorities. The scheme was designed to suppress voter turnout through intimidation and deception, and both men face multiple felony charges including election law violations and computer fraud with sentences up to 7 years.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

Tukua Young, 42, and Brandon Young, 36, of Detroit were bound over for trial on charges of filing approximately $150,000 in fraudulent disability insurance claims between 2016 and 2022, with Tukua receiving $79,058 across two insurers and Brandon receiving $70,434 from one insurer. The couple allegedly claimed to be disabled from working at a non-existent group home, while Tukua continued working despite her claims. Both face multiple felony charges including conducting a criminal enterprise, false pretenses, insurance fraud, and tax violations.

Twenty-eight alleged members of a Chinese organized crime ring operating since at least 2019 were charged in federal indictments for a $65 million fraud scheme targeting thousands of seniors across the United States, including a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor's widow who lost her entire life savings. The network, composed primarily of Chinese nationals working with India-based call centers, used impersonation and psychological manipulation to trick victims into wiring money, with scammers posing as technical support agents or government officials and often convincing victims they had received mistaken refunds. After a nationwide takedown operation, 25 defendants were arrested, $4.2 million was seized from financial accounts

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.

This 2013 overview identifies the top scams affecting La Porte County and beyond, with phishing (stealing personal information for identity theft) ranked as the most prevalent fraud. The top ten scams include grandparent impersonation schemes targeting elderly relatives, doorstep contractor fraud using high-pressure sales tactics, work-from-home schemes, lottery scams, Nigerian advance-fee frauds, and account hijacking of email and social media platforms. The article emphasizes that internet growth and social networking have expanded scam delivery methods and increased victim numbers significantly, with many scams persisting or resurfacing over years despite awareness efforts.

**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.

Scammers have been contacting Michigan residents by phone and email, impersonating Consumers Energy representatives and threatening service disconnection unless immediate payment is made via prepaid debit cards or gift cards. Consumers Energy clarified that it never demands specific payment methods or requests credit card information over the phone, and customers should hang up and call the official number (800-477-5050) to verify any such contact. Those who suspect they were scammed should report the incident to Consumers Energy or local police depending on whether payment was made.

Consumers Energy and utilities across North America are warning Michigan customers about a prevalent scam in which criminals call or email demanding immediate payment under threat of power shutoff, spoofing legitimate utility phone numbers and requesting payment via debit cards, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. The scams are so widespread that over 150 utilities have formed a coalition called Utilities United Against Scams, and victims are advised to contact Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050, report to local police, and contact their bank immediately if they used a credit card, though recovery is unlikely for wire transfers or gift card payments.

Oakland County (Southeast Michigan) experienced a surge in scams targeting bank customers, renters, and seniors, according to AARP Scam Tracker data. Scammers used multiple tactics including fake bank calls claiming account breaches, fraudulent rental listings with stolen photos, impersonation of medical device sellers targeting seniors for credit card information, fake utility workers, and phishing emails promoting bogus antivirus software. Authorities recommend verifying information through official sources, never sharing personal details with unsolicited callers, and contacting Michigan's Attorney General (877-765-8388) or AARP's Fraud Watch (877-908-3360) for assistance.

Eight members of a transnational money laundering conspiracy, seven Indian nationals and one Ohio resident, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 6 years for laundering proceeds from "phantom hacker" fraud schemes that victimized residents across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana between May and November 2023. The scam involved fraudsters falsely claiming victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonating law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring their life savings under the guise of account protection. The eight defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution to victims who lost their life savings.

Eight individuals were sentenced to federal prison for operating an international "phantom hacker" scam that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of tens of millions of dollars between May and November 2023. The conspirators posed as company officials and law enforcement agents to convince victims their financial accounts were compromised, then persuaded them to withdraw cash or gold bars for alleged safekeeping, which was then distributed among the scammers. The defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution, with sentences ranging from 24 to 72 months in prison.

Eight defendants, all Indian nationals except one Ohio resident, were prosecuted for operating a transnational money laundering conspiracy that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of their life savings between May and November 2023. The scheme involved "phantom hacker" scams where fraudsters falsely claimed victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonated law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring funds for supposed "protection," resulting in nearly $4 million in restitution ordered and prison sentences ranging from 2 to 6 years. The last defendant, Kishan Vinayak Patel, 26, received a 46-month sentence after conviction on money

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It concerns a criminal tax evasion case involving an illegal marijuana operation and does not fit the Elderus database focus.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a press release about a podcast episode discussing public health policy changes, vaccine access, and medical education funding. This content falls outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database and should not be summarized for this purpose.

A 25-year-old Indian University of Toledo student, Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel, was arrested in Michigan for defrauding an elderly couple of $50,000 through an impersonation scam in which he posed as a government official claiming their credit card was used to purchase child pornography, then convinced them to withdraw cash and hand it to a fake Treasury Department agent. Patel faced multiple felony charges including larceny over $20,000 and false pretenses over $50,000, with investigators determining he may have targeted additional victims and transferred stolen funds to India. The case is part of a broader trend of scams targeting senior citizens

A 25-year-old Indian student, Vedantkumar Patel, was arrested for defrauding a Michigan elderly couple of $50,000 through an impersonation scam in which he posed as a government official and falsely claimed their credit card had been used for illegal purchases. The FBI took over the federal prosecution after Patel, who was in the US on a student visa, was extradited from Ohio to Michigan, where he faces felony charges and ICE placed a detainer on him. This case is part of a rising trend of scams targeting American seniors, with similar incidents involving Indian students also recently prosecuted.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was named the inaugural attorney general strategic partner of the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance, a public-private coalition uniting law enforcement, retailers, and consumer advocates to combat gift card fraud. Americans reported losses exceeding $228 million to gift card scams in 2023, with the actual figure likely higher due to underreporting, as criminals increasingly use gift card tampering and fraud as part of organized retail crime operations. Nessel's office has established the FORCE task force to combat organized retail crime, having charged over 85 defendants and recovered more than $10 million in stolen merchandise to date.

Massachusetts resident Donald Peltier operated fraudulent political websites impersonating the Democratic and Republican National Committees to solicit donations from the public. A Michigan court ordered Peltier to shut down the fake sites and cease obtaining money through false pretenses, with daily fines of $300 for non-compliance. Attorney General Nessel advises voters to verify political websites through official sources and the Federal Election Commission before donating, particularly warning that seniors are frequent targets of such scams.

Michigan's Department of Treasury warned residents about smishing scams involving fraudulent text messages falsely claiming tax refunds are pending and requesting banking information to release them. The scam, which has circulated nationwide, exploits urgency and the threat of forfeited refunds; residents should recognize that the state only communicates via official mail, not unsolicited texts, and should immediately delete suspicious messages and report them to authorities.

Romance scams, also known as "catfishing," cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars annually, with Michigan ranking particularly high in victim numbers. The article provides four key prevention strategies: never send money to online contacts, avoid sharing personal information that could enable identity theft, be cautious of scammers who rush romantic relationships, and insist on video chat or in-person meetings before developing deeper connections.

Vatsal Pankajkumar Mistry was arrested and charged with money laundering conspiracy in connection with a "phantom hacker" scheme that defrauded multiple victims in Ohio and Michigan. A 76-year-old woman from Ann Arbor lost over $500,000 after being convinced to grant remote computer access for a fake refund, leading to multiple cash and gold bar drop-offs; Mistry admitted to participating in pickups for approximately $500 per package. Mistry waived his preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to a grand jury, with an ICE detainer preventing his release.

Romance scams, known as "catfishing," victimize gullible but well-meaning people across the United States, with Michigan ranking notably high among affected states. Americans lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually to these schemes, with losses expected to increase. To avoid becoming a victim, people should never give money or personal information to online contacts, avoid being rushed into relationships, and refuse to engage with anyone unwilling to video chat or meet in person.

Seniors in Marquette, Michigan are being targeted by a Medicare fraud scam involving false claims for unnecessary medical equipment, such as diabetic supplies for non-diabetics and orthopedic braces for those without medical needs. The scam uses stolen personal information including names and Social Security numbers, though fraudsters are often located outside the area, making them difficult to track. Victims can report suspected fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or contacting the Marquette Senior Center for assistance.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned residents of a smishing scam in which fraudulent text messages falsely claim to be from a nonexistent "State of Michigan Department of Vehicles," threatening license or registration suspension over unpaid tickets and directing victims to fake payment sites to steal personal and financial information. Consumers are advised to delete suspicious texts without clicking links, use spam-blocking tools, and report smishing messages to SPAM (7726) and the Federal Trade Commission.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of potential government imposter scams during the federal government shutdown, where fraudsters may pose as officials to steal personal information or money by falsely claiming issues with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or SNAP benefits. Nessel advised consumers not to click links or download attachments in suspicious communications, and to verify any government contact directly with the agency, noting that legitimate government agencies never request personal information via email, phone, or text, and never demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps.

Hundreds of Medicaid and Medicare recipients in Michigan received fraudulent text messages claiming their insurance coverage was terminated, with scammers exploiting federal government shutdown fears to pressure victims into clicking malicious links and surrendering personal information. At least 200 patients of EPIC Health fell victim to the scam, which caused significant disruptions to healthcare delivery and delayed medical care for vulnerable populations with chronic conditions. The Michigan Attorney General issued a warning advising recipients to block messages, avoid clicking links, and report the fraud.

Three individuals were charged with Medicaid fraud for allegedly exploiting Michigan's transportation reimbursement program: Bernice Marie Pate (10 counts), Wanda Rose Spivey (5 counts), and Ashley Eliza Mendoza (5 counts). The defendants allegedly used a smartphone app to spoof GPS location data and submit false reimbursement claims for medical trips that never occurred, defrauding a program designed to help Medicaid beneficiaries reach medical appointments. All three were arraigned in October 2025 and released on $50,000 personal recognizance bonds.

Valerie Williams, a 65-year-old Michigan resident, won a $1 million prize in the Michigan Lottery's Electric Giveaway after initially hesitating to answer what she thought was a scam call from the lottery. Williams had earned her spot in the live drawing at Comerica Park on September 19 by scanning non-winning lottery tickets on the Michigan Lottery mobile app, ultimately beating four other finalists. She plans to save the winnings and use them for a vacation with her husband.