Amanda Forrester / news@whmi.com

Authorities are warning the public after an elderly Waterford woman was scammed out of $38,000 in cash and $4,500 in gift cards.

According to the Waterford Police Department, the woman received a call from an unknown number. The man said he was a representative from a “well-known anti-virus software company.”

He allegedly told her the company deposited $20,000 into her bank account by mistake, and requested she withdraw the money, and it would be picked up by a second representative. A second man came to her home to pick up the money.

The process was repeated the next day for an additional $18,000.

Waterford Police were notified and monitored the woman’s cell phone.

On May 8, the man contacted her for a third time, requesting $43,000 in cash. The Waterford Police arrived at the location around 6:30 p.m. and arrested Mohammad Abdul Ali Gazi when he reportedly arrived to collect the money.

A search warrant was executed at Gazi’s home in Warren by Waterford Police Detectives, Waterford Special Operations Unit, Detectives from SONIC and Warren Police. Cash, computers and cell phones were seized.

Authorities said they believe Gazi was involved in similar crimes in Ohio, Indiana and other Michigan communities, totaling more than $200,000.

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office received the case from detectives and charged Gazi with false pretenses 20k-50k, attempt false pretenses 20k-50k and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. All charges are felonies, ranging from 5 to 20 years each.

Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement told detectives that Gazi is from Bangladesh and in the country on an asylum visa.

Gazi was arraigned and bond was set at $500,000 cash or surety only. He is expected in court next for his probable cause conference on Monday.

If you or anyone you know may have been a victim of a similar crime, you are encouraged to notify local police.

MSP also issued an alert about "spoofing scams." These scams disguise communication from an unknown source so it appears to be from a trusted source. They said if you receive a call like this, don't give out any personal or banking information and hang up.

(photo credit: Waterford Police Department)