Michigan Elder Scam – Shelby Couple Reports $50K Fraud, Suspect On A Student Visa Arrested

A Toledo man faces charges after allegedly [er[atrating a Michigan elder scam of a Shelby Township couple out of $50,000 in a sophisticated fraud scheme.

Elderly Couple Targeted in Elaborate Email Scam

On April 5, 2025, an elderly couple in Shelby Township, Michigan, reported a significant fraud to local police. The couple received an email alleging fraudulent charges on their credit card for purchasing child pornography. The email instructed them to withdraw $50,000 in cash to prevent these charges from processing. They were told to place the money in a box for pickup by someone claiming to be a Treasury Department agent and were advised not to inform anyone about the situation.

Suspect Identified and Apprehended

In a press relase by the Shelby Township Police Department, Detective Thomas Verdura led the investigation. Utilizing search warrants and the department’s FLOCK camera system, Detective Verdura identified the suspect as Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel, a 25-year-old residing in Toledo, Ohio, on a student visa. Patel allegedly drove to the victims’ residence to collect the cash.

Further investigation of this Michigan elder scam revealed that Patel had likely transferred the stolen funds to India and was attempting to scam other victims out of additional sums. He is currently under federal investigation for at least two other similar scams targeting elderly individuals. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Patel.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

Patel was arrested in Toledo on April 30, 2025, and extradited to Michigan. On May 5, he was arraigned in the 41-A District Court, where Magistrate James VerPloeg set his bond at $100,000 cash surety. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges of false pretenses involving $50,000 or more but less than $100,000 and larceny of $20,000 or more.

Police Emphasize Vigilance Against Elder Fraud

Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide commended Detective Verdura’s investigative work, stating, “The investigative work by Detective Thomas Verdura was extraordinary. He was determined and persistent throughout, always looking for the next clue or fact. His skill in navigating the FLOCK camera system was remarkable and directly led to the arrest of Patel.”

Chief Shelide also highlighted the severity of crimes targeting the elderly, noting, “People that prey on the elderly are the most despicable type of criminals that I have dealt with in my 38+ years of law enforcement experience, and our department will use every available resource to identify and arrest these types of evil criminals.”

5 Common Michigan Elder Scams

Authorities urge residents, especially seniors, to remain cautious of unsolicited communications requesting personal information or money. Family members are encouraged to discuss potential scams with elderly relatives to prevent future incidents.

Here are five common types of Michigan elder scams that specifically target elderly individuals in the United States :

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1. Government Impersonation Scams

Scammers pose as IRS, Social Security, or Medicare officials. They claim the victim owes money or needs to verify sensitive information. Threats of arrest or benefit suspension are used to pressure payment, often via gift cards or wire transfers.

• Red flag: Legitimate agencies never request payment via gift cards or make threats over the phone.
• Michigan Note: The Michigan Attorney General’s office regularly issues alerts for such scams.

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2. Tech Support Scams

A pop-up or phone call warns the victim of a fake computer virus. The scammer asks for remote access to fix the issue and then demands payment or installs malware to steal data.

• Red flag: Unsolicited tech support calls or pop-ups.
• Common targets: Seniors unfamiliar with computer security measures.

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3. Romance Scams

Con artists build trust over time through dating websites or social media, then fabricate emergencies that require money. Victims may lose thousands before realizing it was a fraud.

• Red flag: Requests for money from someone you’ve never met in person.
• FBI Note: These scams disproportionately affect seniors, especially widows and widowers.

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4. Grandparent Scams

A caller pretends to be a grandchild or law enforcement, claiming the grandchild is in trouble and needs bail money. Scammers exploit emotional urgency to bypass skepticism.

• Red flag: Urgent requests not to tell other family members.
• Tactic: Use of personal information from social media to sound convincing.

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5. Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams

Victims are told they’ve won a prize but must pay upfront taxes or fees to claim it. The scam may appear to come from a reputable organization, even using fake checks.

• Red flag: You never have to pay to claim legitimate winnings.
• FTC Tip: If you didn’t enter, you didn’t win.

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Other Notable Scams Include:

• Utility shutoff scams (threatening to cut off services without immediate payment)
• Fake charities (especially following natural disasters or crises)
• Prescription drug scams (offering deep discounts on counterfeit medications)

For Michigan-specific scam alerts, refer to the Michigan Attorney General Consumer Alerts.

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