2 Men Charged in Shocking $2 Million Grandparent Scam
Two men, Roberto Munoz from Florida and Jason Rhodes from New York, are facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in a scam targeting senior citizens, often referred to as a “grandparent scam.” Rhode Island U.S.
Attorney Zachary Cunha announced these charges, stating that the men acted as couriers, traveling between various states to collect money from victims who were misled into thinking a family member needed financial help for bail.
The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to federal prosecutors, the pair operated in multiple states, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
The alleged scam typically involved scammers contacting elderly individuals and instructing them to provide money under the guise that a family member was in legal trouble and needed immediate assistance.
This case gained attention earlier when Munoz and Rhodes were first charged in Warwick, Rhode Island, for similar activities.
Federal investigators explained that Munoz and Rhodes served as the “boots on the ground” in this operation, collecting funds directly from victims after the scammers established contact and convinced them of the fabricated emergency.
On March 8, authorities were able to detain both men after a thorough investigation and multiple complaints from victims. Many seniors reported either having been scammed or nearly falling victim to the fraudulent scheme.
One particular incident highlighted the distress caused by the scam: a victim had already paid the suspects $18,000 and was contacted again for a larger sum, meant to secure a family member’s release.
Fortunately, the victim realized it was a scam and reached out to law enforcement, ultimately aiding in the arrest of Munoz and Rhodes.
Further investigation uncovered that Munoz and Rhodes had been provided with detailed information on their targets.
They possessed lists containing the names and addresses of their potential victims, primarily elderly residents, across several Rhode Island communities, including Coventry, Newport, Cranston, Hopkinton, West Greenwich, and Smithfield. By early March 2024, they had allegedly collected around $230,000 from unsuspecting seniors.
The authorities urge the public, especially the elderly and their families, to be cautious of similar scams that exploit trust and prey on fears for loved ones.
They recommend verifying the identity of anyone claiming to need emergency assistance and contacting family members directly before taking any action.
This case serves as a reminder to all about the importance of vigilance, particularly with scams that use emotional tactics to deceive individuals into providing large sums of money.