Michael Borovetz, 44, was taken into custody inside DTW’s McNamara Terminal by airport police on Saturday. He is suspected of scamming travelers across several states and has been wanted out of Detroit Metro Airport for four years. (Booking photo courtesy of Wayne County Airport Authority)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Tuesday, August 13, 2019

The Wayne County Airport Authority Police Department arrested a man suspected of scamming travelers across several states and who has been wanted at Detroit Metro Airport for the last four years.

Michael Borovetz, 44, was taken into custody inside DTW’s McNamara Terminal by airport police on Saturday.

According to authorities, Borovetz is known at airports across the country for approaching passengers with a sad story in an attempt to get money, while promising to pay it back.

Once Borovetz receives the money, the victims never hear from him again.

Borovetz is also well-known as a professional poker player who has also been convicted multiple times for fraud at several airports, authorities say.

Police at DTW first received reports of Borovetz’s scheme in 2015, when a passenger recognized him from a previous airport encounter.

Complaints continued to surface at the airport over the last four years, but it wasn’t until Saturday that police were able to arrest Borovetz.

Airport police received a tip that Borovetz would be connecting at DTW on his way from Seattle to Miami for a gambling trip.

Borovetz, whose criminal history spans 13 states, was arraigned Monday on two counts of false pretenses with intent to defraud.

Both charges are misdemeanors punishable by one year in jail. His bond was set at $100,000 or 10%.

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Borovetz should contact Sgt. Ken Neidermeier at 734-942-5212.