Crime & Safety

Hundreds Duped By Offer of Free House, $100,000

Several people who showed up at Highland Park City Hall were arrested after showing up for phony offer.

Highland Park, MI — Authorities are expected to release more information Tuesday about a scam apparently realistic enough to convince hundreds of people they would receive a house in the city of Highland Park and $100,000 cash.

Fliers distributed by the scam artists asked the people to show up at City Hall on July 4. Mayor Hubert Yopp told WWJ Radio that a man had been passing out fake notices from the 1800s.

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“Querying some of the bystanders I found out that they said that this man … had a document from the 1800s that entitled them to homes in Highland Park,” Yopp said.

Several people were reportedly arrested, but Yopp did not provide details.

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Only about 10 percent of those showing up to claim the non-existent prizes were from Highland Park, Yopp said.

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