Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

The Ingham County Sheriff's Office reports it, with help from the FBI, has identified a suspect in the January, 2024 case of an 88-year-old Leslie Township woman, who was bilked out of $9,500 cash.

According to a release, the perpetrators falsely identified themselves as law enforcement officers and claimed the funds were needed for bail, stating her daughter had been arrested. The victim provided the money before the scam was discovered.

Through a joint investigation with the FBI, the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office and FBI Boston have identified a suspect connected to this case.

The individual is believed to be part of a larger, sophisticated international fraud ring.

The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office stated the incident serves as an important reminder: No legitimate law enforcement agency—local, state, or federal—will ever contact individuals by phone to request money or payment of any kind.

If you receive such a call, hang up and report it to local authorities.