Dearborn, MI – Residents in Dearborn are being urged to stay vigilant after police reported a noticeable increase in fraud cases targeting local households, particularly through phone calls and emails designed to create fear and urgency.
According to the Dearborn Police Department, scammers are impersonating law enforcement officers, government officials, family members, and even investment professionals in an effort to pressure victims into sending money or sharing sensitive financial information.
One of the most common tactics involves scammers claiming a resident has missed jury duty or has an outstanding warrant. Victims are allegedly threatened with immediate arrest unless they make a payment, often being instructed to deposit thousands of dollars into Bitcoin kiosks, police said.
Another rising scheme involves so-called family emergency scams, where callers claim a loved one is in danger, injured, or facing legal trouble and needs money right away. Police say scammers rely on panic and emotional distress to push victims into acting quickly without verifying the story.
Fraudsters have also been promoting fake investment opportunities, promising guaranteed returns to gain trust before accessing bank accounts or personal data.
Police emphasized that these scams frequently include instructions not to hang up, not to contact authorities, or to act immediately — all major red flags.
The Dearborn Police Department stressed that legitimate law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone, request gift cards, or direct residents to use cryptocurrency kiosks to avoid arrest.
Residents who receive suspicious calls or messages are encouraged to hang up, delete the communication, and contact police directly using official phone numbers. Authorities remind the public that if an offer or threat seems too good — or too alarming — to be true, it likely is.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized is encouraged to report the incident to Dearborn Police.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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