A Pontiac restaurant owner says he was taken for $150 by a woman who walked in with a pitch for a summer camp for children with special needs that investigators now say does not exist. Surveillance video from inside the eatery shows her moving through the dining room, and deputies say the same woman has been working small businesses across Metro Detroit. Oakland County detectives are warning other business owners to be wary if they are handed the same flier or hear a similar story.
Besian Berisha, who owns Bravo's Coney Island in Pontiac, told reporters the woman came in with a flier, made an emotional appeal about helping children, then left the area, all of which was caught on camera, as reported by WXYZ. The station aired video of the encounter, and Oakland County deputies say they are trying to identify her. Sheriff Michael Bouchard told investigators the suspect tends to move quickly after collecting money and urged anyone who recognizes her to contact law enforcement.
How the scam was pitched
The flier, labeled "2026 Camp Explosion," asked for $150 to send one child to camp or $400 to sponsor a family, and investigators say the website listed on it does not exist, according to CBS News Detroit. The phone number printed on the flier connects callers to an unrelated business that told detectives it has received multiple calls about the supposed camp. Deputies say a Pontiac restaurateur handed over $150 on April 23 before learning the fundraiser was bogus.
Where deputies say she’s been
Authorities say the case is not confined to Oakland County. Similar reports have surfaced in Berrien County, where deputies posted alerts, and business owners in parts of northwest Ohio have reported encounters with a woman using the same pitch, per WXYZ. Investigators say that the pattern suggests a scheme that crosses county and state lines rather than a one-off stop. They say the woman often promises to come back and then vanishes after collecting cash.
"People that seek to violate the goodwill and generosity of caring people for their own enrichment must be held accountable," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said, as reported by CBS News Detroit. Deputies say additional reports from businesses could affect how serious the eventual charges are, and they are asking anyone who dealt with the woman to share video, receipts, or photos of the flier to help build a case. No arrests or formal charges have been announced.
What officials are asking
Authorities are asking anyone who may have been approached with the "Camp Explosion" pitch to call the Oakland County Sheriff's Office non-emergency dispatch line at 248-858-4950 and to turn over any surveillance footage or paperwork connected to the encounter. That contact information appears in local coverage by The Detroit News. The FBI and other federal agencies advise potential donors to avoid paying in cash or with gift cards, to verify charities before giving, and to keep records of any contributions, guidance that can make it easier to trace money and support an investigation, according to the FBI. Investigators say receipts and video are especially useful because the suspect typically leaves quickly after each stop.
Local reporting indicates the case could be charged as a misdemeanor unless detectives document a broader pattern that would support more serious fraud or theft counts, which could open the door to tougher penalties, FOX 2 Detroit reports. Investigators are urging business owners to review their security footage and bank records and to report any similar solicitations promptly. The goal is to identify additional victims and determine whether the same woman has moved from community to community using the same story.
How businesses can protect themselves
A few simple checks can help keep scammers from cashing in on good intentions. Before donating, search a group's name online, give directly through a verified website rather than handing money to someone on the spot, and be skeptical of urgent appeals or flimsy paperwork, the FTC advises. If you believe you or your business were defrauded, report it to local law enforcement and to federal agencies so others can be warned. Business owners say this kind of scam stings more than most because it trades on community goodwill toward children with disabilities and makes it harder to trust future local fundraising efforts.
