NORTHVILLE TWP. – Using license plate readers, officers were able to catch a scammer and seize $50,000 in cash, but with an increase in online and phone scams, police are warning residents.
According to police, Northville Township residents recently lost large sums of money to criminals who called, told victims they were under investigation for suspected crimes or had warrants for their arrest, and then demanded money.
Victims are forced to stay on the phone, instructed not to tell anyone about the situation, and pressured to make payment immediately, usually in bitcoins or through cash transfers.
According to police, scammers contacted a Northville Township resident several times in recent months, stole nearly $300,000 in cash and bitcoins, and then went to the victim’s home to retrieve gold bars.
According to the police, phishing cases via email are also becoming more common, with victims believing they have overpaid their PayPal or similar account.
In July, a resident lost $50,000 in cash and another $50,000 in bitcoins to this type of email phishing scam.
The suspects went to the resident’s house again to demand payment and then fled the area.
Using license plate readers, investigators were able to locate and arrest suspects outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and seize $50,000 in cash.
Matthew MacKenzie, deputy manager of the Northville municipality, said there are currently 15 LPR cameras installed in the municipality.
“We would like to remind our citizens 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 that you are under investigation or have warrants for your arrest and the only way to resolve the issue is to make an immediate payment, it is undoubtedly a scam.”
To protect yourself from such schemes, the Northville Township Police Department offers the following tips:
- Screen callers: Law enforcement agencies do not demand payments over the phone. Be wary of unsolicited calls claiming that legal matters require urgent payment.
- Remote access: Never give unknown people remote access to your computer.
- Confidentiality request: If a payment instructs you to stay on the phone and not reveal the situation, it is probably a scam.
- Demanding immediate payment: Reputable companies do not push for immediate payments via unconventional methods such as Bitcoin or gift cards.
- Remember: When it comes to personal information and money, “Do not share and do not send.”
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious messages to local authorities immediately. To report a possible scam, contact the Northville Township Police Department at 248-349-9400.
Contact reporter Laura Colvin at [email protected] or 248-221-8143.
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