Feds Bust Up Two Different Federal Student Aid Fraud Schemes In Detroit That Took In Over $22 Million
Federal authorities have arrested two people operating separate Federal Student Aid fraud schemes in Detroit.
In their first complaint, prosecutors have charged Brandon Robinson of Detroit with wire fraud. The wire fraud charge stems from an allegation he filed false Federal Student Aid (FSA) claims. He submitted these claims in the names of other individuals. The FBI arrested Robinson on September 24, 2025.Â
The complaint states Robinson operated a years-long scheme of using “straw students” to fraudulently apply for Federal Student Aid benefits. The straw students were enrolled in local community colleges for the primary purpose of receiving FSA. The complaint alleges that Robinson submitted fraudulent FSA claims for more than 1200 individuals between January 2025 and February 2024. The scheme involved over 100 schools in 24 states.
Prosecutors allege Robinson’s scheme fraudulently received more than $16M in FSA benefits. Additionally, the complaint also alleges that Robinson also filed over 100 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims between April 2020 and March 2023. This caused the state Michigan to disburse of over $1M in UI benefits.
The Feds Also Bust A Second Federal Student Aid Fraud Scheme
Federal authorities filed second complaint charging Michelle Hill of Detroit with wire fraud. Prosecutors say Hill ran a separate federal student aid fraud scheme. Authorities arrested Hill on September 24, 2025.Â
The complaint states Hill’s scheme obtained fraudulent FSA benefits for 80 individuals for the past 10 years. The individuals were predominantly enrolled at Wayne County Community College.
The complaint also alleges that many of these straw students were enrolled in the same or similar degree programs. They were also taking the same or similar online courses.Â
Prosecutors also allege that Hill herself often completed the coursework on the students’ behalf. She did this to make it appear that the students were progressing toward degrees. Hill’s actions also prolonged the straw student’s eligibility for FSA benefits. As a result of the scheme, prosecutors also allege Hill fraudulently received more than $3M in FSA benefits.
