An Arrest in Grand Rapids Exposes a Massive Nationwide Scam

If it seems like there has been an increase in scams targeting people in Michigan, you're not alone.

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Just about every single week there is some kind of new scam happening that people in Michigan and across the country are falling victim to.

A Grand Rapids man has been arrested for being part of a nationwide scam that targets people using shopping apps.

Abubakar Mohamed Ali, was arrested Wednesday morning in Grand Rapids and is accused of participating in a nationwide scheme that stole more than $1 million from its victims.

How The Scam Works

This group of 8 people targeted two mobile shopping service companies based in California and Alabama.

These companies allow customers to order groceries online, placing their orders through an app; then, shoppers accept the customers’ orders and do the shopping for them.

Read More: Michigan Restaurants Guy Fieri Has Visited With The Food Network

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the scammers accessed a list of active and inactive shopper accounts, then fraudulently took control of these accounts.

Once they were in some of the scammers would act as a shopper and make a shopping list, while the other scammers would act as shoppers and accept those orders.

But when they went to the store they didn't pick up groceries, instead, they would buy things like gift cards while at the same time canceling those orders.

Abubakar Mohamed Ali along with the other defendants are currently out on bond and are due back in court on Monday August 25th.

Here are some other SCAMS happening in Michigan that you should be aware of.