SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A Georgia man was arrested for allegedly claiming to be a federal employee and swindling a Shelby Township resident out of more than $100,000.
The investigation began in February 2025 when a man claiming to be “Shawn Taylor” from the U.S. Treasury and Social Security Administration Office contacted a Shelby Township resident.
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The man told the resident that someone had been using her Social Security number and there was a warrant for her arrest. He allegedly told the victim to send a large amount of money to him to protect the rest of her money. The man contacted the victim again to send more money. In a couple of days, police said the victim transferred nearly $110,000.
After a detective began looking at the bank accounts that received the wire transfers, they were able to identify a possible suspect. After further investigation, authorities identified the suspect as Kelly Umana, a resident of Georgia. An arrest warrant was then obtained, and Shelby Township police notified police in Georgia.
On June 25, police in Georgia told Shelby Township police that they had Umana in custody.
On July 10, 2025, Umana was lodged at the Macomb County Jail.
Investigators believe Umana did not act alone, and police said more arrests are forthcoming.
Umana was arraigned on July 11 on one charge of false pretenses and was given a $20,000 bond.
“Stealing from others through lies and deception is just as serious as any other crime - and here in Shelby Township, we will not tolerate it. A suspect who swindled over $100,000 from an innocent victim is now behind bars, thanks to the sharp, determined work of a great detective. Shelby Township will continue to be tough on fraud and stand up for those who have been taken advantage of,” said Shelby Township Police Chief Robert J. Shelide.