Man Charged In $110K Metro Detroit Phone Scam: Police

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI — A Georgia man has been arrested in connection with a phone scam that swindled a metro Detroit resident out of more than $100,000, according to police.

Kelly A. Umana, 25, of Powder Springs, Georgia, was charged with false pretenses. He was placed in the Macomb County Jail and given a $20,000 bond.

The investigation started in February when a Shelby Township resident got a call from someone claiming to be "Shawn Taylor" from the US Treasury and Social Security Administration office. The caller told the woman that someone had been using her Social Security Number and now there is a warrant for her arrest, police said.

The caller told the woman that she needed to protect the rest of her money by transferring a large sum of money to him, police said.

After a couple more phone calls requesting the transfer, the woman transferred nearly $110,000, police said.

Investigators looked into the bank accounts that received the wire transfers and were quickly able to identify Umana as a suspect in the scam. Police said Officers in Roswell, Georgia arrested Umana on June 25.

Police believe more people were involved in the scheme and that more arrests are coming.

"Stealing from others through lies and deception is just as serious as any other crime - and here in Shelby Township, we will not tolerate it. A suspect who swindled over $100,000 from an innocent victim is now behind bars, thanks to the sharp, determined work of a great detective. Shelby Township will continue to be tough on fraud and stand up for those who have been taken advantage of," said Shelby Township Police Chief Robert J. Shelide.