Phony cop takes real money in phone scam

A Bloomfield Township resident was bilked out of $21,000 on Thursday, Oct. 7, after speaking to a man she believed was the local chief of police.

Bloomfield Township police said the victim was contacted by a man claiming to be an agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and that her identity was being used to commit crimes. The caller told the victim she would have to deposit $21,000 in cryptocurrency into an ATM in Troy.

Police said the caller then asked the victim for her nearest police department. The victim received a subsequent call from a man who identified himself as Bloomfield Township Police Chief Phillip Langmeyer. Police said the victim’s telephone caller ID listed the call coming from “Bloomfield Township Police.” The victim said the man told her she would be “guilty of a crime” if she didn’t follow the instructions from the border agent. The victim then followed the instructions and deposited the money at the ATM.

“The Bloomfield Township Police Department would like to remind the public that no law enforcement agency will ever instruct you to pay or assist in an investigation by withdrawing funds and depositing them into an ATM,” said Bloomfield Township Police Lt. Paul Schwab. “The public is reminded not to provide personal information over the phone to callers they do not know. If anyone questions the legitimacy of the call, they should immediately hang up and call the agency’s non-emergency number for verification.”

The case is under investigation. Police ask anyone with information to contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department at 248.433.7755.