Authorities out of New York gave the Macomb County Sheriff's Office a tip that lead to the arrest of two people wanted in a criminal enterprise.
The investigation revolved around a phone scam that targeted the elderly. Detectives identified Qingyu Wei, 27, and Xinfeng Zhu, 23, both out of Troy, as suspects.
The pair told victims that a family member or a friend was involved in an accident, or in jail and needed bond money.
The scam was very elaborate; at times using others to act as the family member or act as an attorney.
The victims, ranging in ages from 66-years-old to 80-years-old, were instructed to buy gift cards from Target to pay this bond.
Police say the victims then called Wei or Zhu and gave them the gift card numbers and pin numbers. The pair would then go into a Target store and purchase eBay and Steam gift cards with the Target gift cards.
Authorities say that between January and February, Wei and Zhu were able to purchase $10,600 in gift cards from a single Target in Macomb Township with money obtained by false pretenses.
The two allegedly used this money to buy high end merchandise and sell it via the internet to customers overseas.
“Telephone scams are real crimes that happen every day. Do not feel rushed and know that if someone requests you to make payment with gift cards it is most likely a scam," said Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham.
The Macomb County Prosecutors Office authorized warrants for Wei and Zhu on one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise (20 year felony) and 2 counts of False Pretenses $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 (5 year felony).
