Two men, Jason Rhodes and Robert Munoz, are facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in 'grandparent scams' in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as reported by the Warwick Police Department. The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Rhodes, 34, from Flushing, New York, and Munoz, 29, from Miami, Florida, were released on unsecured bond and GPS monitoring after appearing before a federal magistrate judge. The duo is accused of operating as couriers and collecting around $230,000 from unsuspecting seniors.
The arrests came after a victim reported being scammed back in March, prompting Warwick police to investigate and uncover an ongoing fraudulent scheme. The scams typically target grandparents or the elderly through phone calls claiming a loved one needs bail money due to an arrest. The scammers then pose as family members or attorneys to collect the money.
Warwick police collaborated with various units and victims to set up an operation to apprehend Rhodes as he arrived at a victim's residence to collect money. Rhodes was recognized from a previous scam report in Rhode Island and was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. Munoz, the alleged getaway driver, was also arrested.
A search warrant was issued for a hotel room in Munoz's name, leading to the discovery of evidence linking the duo to other 'grandparent scams,' $60,000 in cash, and additional items. The Warwick Police Department advises anyone who suspects they may have fallen victim to this scam or a similar one to contact their local police department for assistance.
