CANTON, Mich. – A man was arrested for an alleged fraud scheme involving an elderly Canton woman.
Police said the 84-year-old Canton woman received a phone call in mid-December 2024 from a man claiming to be a “senior fraud officer” from her bank.
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He told the elderly victim to withdraw large amounts of cash and turn it over to his coworker, who would pick it up from the victim’s home.
According to police, the scam was completed twice over four days. Just before the third attempt, the victim’s family members noticed the unusual bank activity and contacted the police.
30-year-old Li Biao, who police said is an illegal foreign national from China, went to the victim’s home on Dec. 17, 2024, to try to get $25,000 in cash from the victim.
Detectives were waiting at the Canton home for his arrival, and Biao was arrested.
Biao was arraigned on charges of Fraudulent False Pretenses, a 15-year felony, and Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing a Police Officer, a two-year felony. His bond was set at $100,000 cash with a GPS tether.
“This is a tragic example of elder exploitation financial abuse, with the suspect(s) defrauding and stealing from the victim by taking advantage of her vulnerability due to age,” said Support Services Captain Joseph Bialy. “We encourage family members, friends and caregivers of the elderly to watch out for warning signs that can include a sudden change in financial habits, missing funds, unexplained large withdrawals, new beneficiaries on accounts, or a new individual with excessive control over an elderly person’s finances—and report any findings to their local police department. In this case, family members contacted the police early enough to prevent additional funds being stolen from the victim."
