Suspects in Magazine Subscription Scam Identified, Linked to Traveling Ring

Police are warning residents that members of a large traveling door-to-door magazine subscription scam have been spotted in northern Macomb communities.

Police say members are part of a larger ring that has been seen in other states. The ring is reported to have been peddling their scam in multiple cities across Metro Detroit, with at least a dozen reports made in Clinton Township alone.

The suspects, many in their late teens and early 20s, reportedly go door-to-door passing themselves off as student athletes selling magazine subscriptions for wounded veterans, according to police.

On Sept. 11, an elderly Clinton Township resident reported she gave a 17- to 18-year-old white male $452 for the subscriptions, believing him to be the grandson of a neighbor.

Another Clinton Township resident reported giving a teenage girl, who has been identified by police, $48 on Sept. 5 under the pretense that she was a Fraser High School softball player.

Since reports of this scam reached news media, Clinton Township police say they have received more than 40 phone calls with reports on this case from across Metro Detroit.

This group of individuals is believed to have visited Livonia, Shelby Township, Van Buren Township, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Macomb Township and several other cities, according to police.

Shelby Township Lt. Stan Muszynski reminded all residents that anyone who comes to your door to sell a product must have a permit from the township to solicit and have a visible ID badge that identifies them.

Approximately 10-12 individuals are believed to be operating in the ring. All are thought to be out-of-state residents, according to police.

Once arrests are made, police say the suspects will face charges of larceny by false pretenses, with penalties dependent on the amount of money involved.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.