Two Charged in Michigan Elder Fraud Cases

Authorities in Michigan have charged two individuals in separate cases involving scams targeting senior citizens. In Waterford Township, Mohammad Gazi allegedly defrauded a senior of over $40,000 by posing as a computer security expert and instructing the victim to repeatedly withdraw and hand over cash before his arrest in a sting operation. In a separate incident, Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel, a student visa holder living in Toledo, is accused of convincing an elderly Shelby Township couple to withdraw $50,000 under false claims of fraudulent credit card charges related to child pornography and then collecting the cash in person. Patel faces both state and federal investigations. Law enforcement officials emphasize the increasing sophistication of scams targeting the elderly and urge the public to be cautious about unsolicited requests for money. These cases highlight the need for heightened vigilance among seniors and their families.