Detroit Man Gifted $100K by Influencer Kidnapped, Robbed by Relatives [WATCH]

A Detroit man who became the recipient of $100,000 after a viral act of kindness was later kidnapped and robbed by his own relatives, according to police and court documents, as reported by The New York Post.

Curtis Dixon, an elderly resident of Detroit, was initially preparing to pawn his wedding ring to cover bills when he encountered TikTok influencer Zach Dereniowski, known online as “mdmotivator,” who has more than 24 million followers.

Dereniowski, posing as if he were blind, was testing the kindness of strangers when Dixon offered to help. The influencer rewarded Dixon with $1,000 on the spot and later organized a GoFundMe that raised $100,000 for him, along with the purchase of a new car.

NEW: Elderly Detroit man gifted $100,000 by an influencer was kidnapped, beaten, and left tied up in a burning car by relatives trying to steal the money

Curtis Dixon planned to pawn his wedding ring to pay bills when he met Zach Dereniowski

Dereniowski gave Dixon $1,000 and… pic.twitter.com/tUAsEsuulb

— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) September 30, 2025

The heartwarming story took a violent turn when authorities say Dixon’s nephew, Roland Terrell Chatmon, devised a scheme to steal his uncle’s money.

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According to a criminal complaint, the plot began on September 1 when a woman, later identified as Lecia Lopez Martinez, pretended to have car trouble. Dixon offered to give her a ride, when two armed suspects confronted him, threatening to kill his wife if he did not comply.

The complaint states that Dixon was tied up and forced to ride in the back of his own vehicle as he was driven to several ATMs. Under duress, he withdrew $4,400.

He was later taken to his home, where suspects tied up his wife and stole a safe before fleeing. His wife eventually broke free and contacted police.

Officers later found Dixon tied up near his burning GMC Yukon. Witnesses reported that he had been left inside the vehicle, but bystanders pulled him to safety before the fire could spread.

The case began to unravel after investigators said Chatmon called his brother, who was incarcerated at the county jail, and bragged about planning to “turn a hustle” on his uncle. “I need some racks real quick,” he allegedly said during the recorded conversation.

Authorities used cell phone records and ATM surveillance footage to track down those involved. Chatmon, Martinez, Kenneth Paul Anderson, Ieasha Stroman, and Dnequia Stroman were all arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

⚠️ WARNING: This post contains descriptions of a violent kidnapping & assault

Curtis Dixon, an elderly Detroit man, was gifted over $100,000 by influencer Zach Dereniowski after a viral act of kindness in August 2025.

On September 1, his newfound fortune led to a nightmare when… pic.twitter.com/XbHd7YZbiD

— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) October 1, 2025

Dixon’s ordeal came just weeks after Dereniowski’s videos showing the man’s emotional reaction to the unexpected generosity went viral. In one clip, Dixon cried and hugged his family after receiving the funds. “Oh my God,” he repeated, overwhelmed by the gesture.

Dereniowski said at the time that Dixon’s kindness inspired thousands to contribute.

“We need more people like Curtis in this world,” he told Fox 2 Detroit. “Everyone can do these small acts because the small acts are what matters. That’s where all this money came from. Everyone that had a small amount to give wanted to give to you because they felt your heart.”

The suspects remain in custody as the case moves forward. Dixon’s current condition has not been released.

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