Schuette Arrests Fake Giftcard Scammer Who Defrauded Five-Year-Old Girl
Contact: John Sellek or Joy Yearout 517-373-8060
April 23,
2012
LANSING - Michigan
Attorney General Bill Schuette has arrested Otis Lee Josey, 54, of Detroit, for
allegedly impersonating staff from a Detroit-area radio station and soliciting a
contribution from a five-year-old girl under the false pretense that her money
would go to a children's charity.
"Con
artists will not roam our streets unchecked,
especially if they target innocent children," said Schuette.
It is
alleged Josey worked Detroit streets, impersonating staff from WRIF - FM, a
popular Detroit radio station. In November 2011, Josey allegedly approached a
five-year-old girl and her mother as they exited the People Mover, claiming he
was authorized to provide restaurant gift cards in exchange for donations of any
amount to a charity that benefited a local children's hospital. It is alleged
Josey accepted five dollars from the five-year-old girl in exchange for a $20.00
gift card to Chuck E. Cheese's. The card was fake and it is alleged Josey
pocketed the money.
The
following charge against Josey has been filed by Schuette with the 36th District
Court in Detroit:
· One
count False Pretenses ? Less than $200, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93
days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
Josie was arrested by Wayne State University Police on April 23,
2012, and is expected to be arraigned in Detroit's 36th District
Court on April 24, 2012.
Schuette
encourages citizens who believe they may have been victims of the alleged gift
card scheme to file a complaint with the Attorney General's Criminal Division at
(313)456-0180.
A
criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent
unless proven guilty.
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