TROY, Mich. – An elderly Oakland County woman was swindled out of over $8,000 in a scheme where a scammer showed up at her house to pick up the money.
The 78-year-old Troy woman reported the incident to police on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
She told police that she received a phone call, and the caller ID showed that it was her son.
When she answered it, the caller told the woman that he was with her son. He said that the woman’s son had just been in a car accident and was in jail.
He gave the 78-year-old a number to contact a lawyer.
When the victim called that number, she was told that someone would contact her about picking up $8,400 in bond money, according to police.
Related: Fake DMV text messages prompt warning from Michigan State Police amid rising complaints
After that, the woman received another phone call. This time, the caller told her that a man would come and pick up the cash.
The man arrived at her house, and the 78-year-old gave him the cash in an envelope.
But after that exchange, the woman received another call.
This time, the caller told her that she needed to give them an additional $9,200 for her son to be released from jail, according to police.
At this point, the woman realized she was being scammed and called the Troy Police Department.
This comes as scammers continue to target residents across Metro Detroit.
Last month, a man was charged after scamming a Shelby Township couple out of $50,000.
Authorities also recently busted a group of sealcoating scammers in Oakland County.
In addition to these, residents across the region have seen an increase in scam texts, calls, and emails, like the most recent DMV text scam.
Anyone who believes they were a victim of a scam should report it to their local police and report it to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Consumer Protection Team.
For more information about recognizing scams, visit here.
