BIRMINGHAM (WWJ) - A Metro Detroit bridal shop owner is behind bars after being charged with defrauding clients of thousands of dollars to support her ailing business.
Nadica Ristivojevic, 58, of West Bloomfield and owner of Birmingham Bridal is accused of defrauding roughly $40,000 to $50,000 from customers before abruptly closing her business in June of 2023, Birmingham police said.
According to investigators, at least nine customers came forward and said they paid for designer dresses they never received -- nor were they given their money back.
When Ristivojevic was confronted, the customers said the business owner gave excuses and rushed orders at other shops to get dresses in on time for their events.
Based on their investigation, detectives discovered Ristivojevic's business was struggling and she was using the money from new orders to pay for past ones.
Ristivojevic also had a gambling habit, police added. She told authorities she played with the goal of winning enough money to pay for all the outstanding orders.
A warrant for Ristivojevic's arrest was issued by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for nine counts -- one for each victim -- of false pretenses of $1,000 or more but less than 20,000.
The shop owner was taken into custody and arraigned on the charges on Sept. 8 when a judge gave her a $750,00 cash/surety bond.
While several customers have already spoken to police, investigators believe there could be more victims. Anyone who believes they maybe a victim has been asked to call Detective Rebekah Springer at 248-530-1895.