FLINT, Michigan — Authorities said they have identified a suspect and are pursuing formal charges in a phone scam that impersonated a government agency and targeted 17 people at Cedar Run Plaza. Priya Larrabee was among those targeted in the calls.

Investigators recovered $23,654 while estimating the victims’ losses at $128,594. Authorities said the case has moved from identifying the suspected caller to seeking formal charges, and urged residents to independently verify any unexpected caller claiming to represent a government agency.