NORTHVILLE TWP. — License plate readers helped officers catch a con artist and recover $50,000 in cash, but police are cautioning residents after a surge in online and phone scams.
Police say Northville Township residents recently lost large sums of money to criminals who call on the phone, tell victims they are under investigation for alleged crimes or have warrants for their arrest, and then demand money.
Victims are coerced into staying on the phone, instructed not to disclose the situation to anyone and pressured to send immediate payment, usually in bitcoin or cash transfers.
In recent months, police said scammers contacted one Northville Township resident multiple times, obtained nearly $300,000 in cash and bitcoin, then went to the victim’s home to collect gold bricks.
Email phishing cases also are on the rise, police said, leading victims to believe they have overpaid their PayPal or similar account.
In July, a resident lost $50,000 in cash and an additional $50,000 in bitcoin to that type of email phishing scam.
Again, the suspects went to the resident’s home to collect the payment, then fled the area.
Investigators used license plate reader technology to locate and arrest suspects outside Cleveland, Ohio, and were able to recover $50,000 in cash.
Northville Township Deputy Chief Matthew MacKenzie said the township currently has 15 LPR cameras in place.
“We want to remind our residents that law enforcement agencies do not request payments over the phone, especially in the form of Bitcoin,” MacKenzie said. “If you receive a call or email claiming you are under investigation or have warrants, and the only way to resolve the issue is by making an immediate payment, it is undoubtedly a scam.”
To safeguard against schemes, the Northville Township Police offers the following tips:
- Verify callers: Law enforcement agencies do not demand payments over the phone. Be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming legal issues requiring urgent payment.
- Remote access: Never grant remote access to your computer to unknown individuals.
- Secrecy demand: If instructed to stay on the phone and not disclose the situation while making a payment, it is likely a scam.
- Demand for immediate payment: Genuine entities do not pressure for immediate payments via unconventional methods such as Bitcoin or gift cards.
- Remember: Regarding personal information and money – “Don’t give it, don’t send it.”
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious communications to local authorities promptly. To report a potential scam, contact Northville Township Police Department at 248-349-9400.
Contact reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometownlife.com or 248-221-8143.
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