Prosecutors say a St. Clair Shores man treated a 78-year-old Clinton Township woman like his personal bank account, walking away with more than $30,000 in cash for home repairs that never happened.
Eric John Williams, 60, was arraigned yesterday, after investigators say he convinced the woman to repeatedly withdraw large sums of money and hand the cash over to him. He is now facing three felony counts along with a habitual offender enhancement that prosecutors say reflects a long history of targeting older adults.
According to prosecutors, the scheme kicked off on Jan. 9, when Williams was reportedly going door to door and told the woman her home needed a full interior repaint and a brand new concrete patio. She agreed to the work and, trusting him, went with him to the bank several times, where she withdrew more than $30,000 in cash for the promised project. The work was never done. Bank employees eventually flagged the pattern of withdrawals as suspicious and contacted authorities, ClickOnDetroit reports.
How prosecutors say the scam worked
Macomb County officials say cases like this are part of a broader and persistent problem of financial exploitation of older adults. In response, the prosecutor's office operates the "Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors" program, known as SCAMS, which focuses on common frauds that often target seniors, including home repair pitches and impersonation schemes.
Per the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, the SCAMS initiative offers printed materials, in-person presentations and guidance on spotting red flags, such as unusual banking activity or sudden large withdrawals. The office also notes that Michigan law requires certain professionals, including some in the financial and caregiving fields, to report suspected exploitation of vulnerable adults to Adult Protective Services.
Arrest, charges and next court date
Clinton Township police arrested Williams on April 15 after the bank's concerns were relayed to investigators, authorities say. He is charged with one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult and two counts of obtaining money under false pretenses. Prosecutors say he has five prior convictions for similar frauds and has been charged as a habitual offender.
According to ClickOnDetroit, Williams was released on a $100,000 bond and placed on house arrest with GPS monitoring. He is scheduled for a probable cause hearing at 41-B District Court on May 19.
Resources and reporting
Officials are urging residents to speak up if they suspect an older relative, neighbor or friend is being targeted by scammers. The Macomb County Prosecutor's SCAMS page lists prevention tips, downloadable materials and key reporting contacts, including Adult Protective Services.
Per the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult can be reported to Adult Protective Services at 855-444-3911. The office also offers presentations for senior groups and community organizations aimed at stopping exploitation before it starts.
