Man Helping Seemingly ‘Blind’ Influencer Won $100k — Then His Own Family Allegedly Kidnapped Him

Authorities in Michigan have charged five individuals in connection with the kidnapping of a man who recently went viral on social media after receiving $100,000 from an influencer.

Roland Terrell Chatmon, Leica Lopez Martinez, Ieasha Anna Stroman, Dnequia Jenise Stroman, and Kenneth Paul Anderson face charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping related to the abduction of Curtis Dixon in Detroit on Sept. 1, according to a criminal complaint shared online by Law & Crime and reviewed by PEOPLE.

Although Dixon was not named in the complaint, The Detroit News and FOX 2 Detroit have identified him as the alleged victim.

Dixon gained attention on Aug. 15 in a video with TikTok influencer Zachery Dereniowski, who pretended to be blind and in need of help. After a brief conversation, Dereniowski revealed he was not blind and gave Dixon $1,000 in cash, leading to an emotional exchange between the two.

In a follow-up video posted on Dereniowski’s TikTok on Aug. 21, he handed Dixon $100,000, thanking his followers in the caption for contributing to the funds.

On Sept. 1, Detroit police responded to Dixon’s home after his wife reported that armed individuals had entered the residence, tied her up, and stolen a safe while brandishing a gun, according to the criminal complaint.

Police were later called to a separate scene where a car was set on fire and Dixon was found tied up next to the burning vehicle, which belonged to him.

Dixon told authorities he had been helping Martinez, who claimed her car had been taken. When Dixon agreed to give her a ride, he was taken to a location where the other suspects confronted him, tied him up, and demanded money while threatening his wife. The suspects allegedly transported him to several locations, including ATMs, to withdraw cash from his account.

@mdmotivator

“I got $100,000 dollars for you” 🥹❤️ #money #kindness #surprise #family #car Thank you to everyone who watched Part 1, liked, commented, shared, and donated to Curtis and his family. YOU changed his life. YOU changed the life of his wife. YOU changed the life and trajectory of his grand babies. Thank YOU for being the change, the difference. Without YOU, none of this would ever be possible. Be kind and love always ❤️

♬ original sound – Zachery Dereniowski

Meanwhile, Dixon’s wife managed to free herself and contact authorities.

Using cell phone records and ATM surveillance footage, investigators tracked down the suspects. Authorities also discovered phone calls between at least one suspect and a family member discussing Dixon coming into money and the GoFundMe. Chatmon was identified as the nephew of Dixon and his wife.

Plea information for the suspects is not yet available. They are expected back in court this week, according to Click 2 Detroit.