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Two men from New York and Florida were arrested in March for serving as couriers in grandparent scams targeting seniors across multiple states, collecting approximately $230,000 from victims in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Iowa, and beyond. Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes allegedly received victim names and addresses from scam organizers and traveled to collect bail payments that victims believed were needed for arrested grandchildren, with one victim pair paying $18,000 before recognizing the scheme. Both men were released on unsecured bond with GPS monitoring while the investigation continues, with authorities believing numerous additional families across Rhode Island and Massachusetts were victimized.

Two men from New York and Florida were arrested in March for their roles as couriers in grandparent scams targeting seniors across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and multiple other states. In early March, Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes allegedly collected approximately $230,000 from victims in over a dozen communities before police arrested them during a surveillance operation at a victim's home in Warwick, Rhode Island. The scams involved fraudsters posing as family members, attorneys, or law enforcement to convince elderly victims to send cash via couriers, with evidence suggesting the scheme targeted victims across at least nine additional states.

Two men, Roberto Munoz (29) of Florida and Jason Rhodes (34) of New York, were charged federally in November 2024 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating as couriers in grandparent scams targeting elderly victims across multiple states. Operating in March 2024, Munoz and Rhodes collected approximately $230,000 from victims in over a dozen communities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts by posing as family members, attorneys, or law enforcement and directing seniors to pay fake bail or legal fees; they were arrested after police set up surveillance at a victim's home where one grandparent couple had already paid $18,000.

Two men, Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes, were arrested for serving as couriers in a multi-state "grandparent scam" that targeted elderly residents, including those in Lakeville, collecting approximately $230,000 from victims across Rhode Island and Massachusetts in early March. The scam involved fraudsters posing as family members, attorneys, or law enforcement officials to convince elderly victims their grandchildren needed bail money, which the couriers then collected in person. Both men faced federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

This article contains two unrelated pieces: The first describes UMass Amherst researchers developing a cheaper, portable device to detect PFAS (toxic "forever chemicals") in water, reducing testing costs from millions to thousands of dollars. The second reports the arrest of two men, Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes, who allegedly served as couriers in grandparent scams targeting elderly victims across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, collecting approximately $230,000 from victims in over a dozen communities.

This article contains two unrelated stories. The first discusses UMass Amherst researchers developing an inexpensive, portable device to detect PFAS (harmful "forever chemicals") in drinking water, reducing testing costs from millions to thousands of dollars. The second describes the arrest of two men accused of operating a grandparent scam courier network that collected approximately $230,000 from elderly victims across Massachusetts and Rhode Island by posing as family members in legal trouble.

In early March, a Warwick grandparent couple lost $18,000 to a "grandparent scam" in which fraudsters impersonated their grandson needing bail money; when asked for an additional $40,000, the couple recognized the scheme and contacted police, leading to the arrest of two out-of-state men who were found with $60,000 in cash and allegedly collected $230,000 from similar schemes. Rhode Island has experienced a 22% growth rate in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023—the third-highest in the nation—prompting increased law enforcement investigations, legislative proposals to combat scams, and awareness campaigns by organizations like

Alec Tahir Baker, 60, of Corona, California, was indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft for his role in a scheme that defrauded businesses, individuals, and the Town of Bristol, Rhode Island, of approximately $8.9 million. The conspiracy employed business email compromise tactics, including phishing emails to gain network access and vendor impersonation emails to redirect payments to accounts Baker controlled across over 40 bank accounts he created. Baker subsequently concealed the fraudulent proceeds through cash withdrawals, cryptocurrency transfers, and transfers to other accounts and individuals, including a $310,500 theft from Bristol municipal funds

Matthew Ramos-Soto, a 27-year-old from Connecticut, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state grandparent scam targeting elderly victims. Operating as a courier posing as a bail bondsman, Ramos-Soto collected over $250,000 from victims across the United States between October 2022 and June 2023, as part of a larger fraud network that contacted elderly people claiming their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money. The scheme, which operated across multiple states including Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, Rhode Island, and California, resulted in restitution being ordered and prompted federal authorities to emphasize the importance of

Former Rhode Island attorney Peter P.D. Leach was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for operating a Ponzi scheme in which he forged client signatures, misappropriated settlement funds for personal expenses, and deceived clients about case status and payment of their bills between 2014-2019. Leach was also convicted of tax evasion for concealing over $540,000 in cash withdrawals from his client trust account and making false statements to the IRS. He was ordered to pay $299,774.41 in restitution to defrauded clients and an additional $320,622.76 in back taxes to the IRS.

Jennifer O. Djan, a 32-year-old Ghanaian national in Rhode Island, was convicted of money laundering conspiracy for operating fake business bank accounts that funneled millions of dollars in fraud proceeds—obtained from scam victims across the U.S. seeking companionship and financial opportunities—to co-conspirators in Ghana. Beginning in September 2020, Djan registered a fraudulent "logistics" business and rapidly moved large sums through multiple accounts, often transferring funds within days to other conspirators or to Ghana. She is scheduled for sentencing on April 22, 2025.

Ryan DaCruz, a 28-year-old from Central Falls, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy for depositing stolen and fraudulently altered checks totaling approximately $46,000 into multiple bank accounts he controlled between February 2022 and May 2023. Working with confederates who stole checks from the U.S. Mail, DaCruz had the checks "washed" to change payee names to his own, then rapidly depleted the accounts through cash withdrawals and transfers before opening new accounts at different banks when fraud was detected. He faces sentencing on March 11, 2025, and is currently incarcerated on a separate conviction for

Ten U.S. states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase). Other states with notable rises include Texas, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, all ranging from 18-20% increases in fraud complaints per capita. The analysis highlights that popular retirement destinations are experiencing elevated fraud risk, prompting seniors in these states to increase financial vigilance.

A 2025 analysis of government elder fraud complaint data identified 10 states experiencing significant increases in fraud cases targeting retirees between 2022 and 2023. Arizona led with a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase), with Texas, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma also showing substantial growth ranging from 18-20%. The data underscores the need for vigilance among retirees in these high-risk states.

**Article:** 10 States Where Retiree Fraud Is on the Rise According to analysis of government elder fraud complaint data, ten states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors). Other notably affected states include Utah (23% increase), Rhode Island and North Carolina (22% and 20% increases respectively), and Texas, Washington, Oregon, Mississippi, Kansas, and Oklahoma (ranging from 18-20% increases). The data underscores the need for retirees in these high-risk states to heighten financial vigil

Senator Victoria Gu, the Rhode Island AARP, and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha are hosting two community town halls on March 17 in Westerly to educate residents on protecting themselves and their loved ones from scams. The sessions will be held at the Westerly Senior Center (10:30 a.m.–noon) and Westerly Library (6–7:30 p.m.).

This educational article identifies New Jersey as the safest U.S. state for retirees based on FBI data analysis, citing low violent and property crime rates, minimal senior involvement in fatal accidents, and strong healthcare access. The article also lists nine additional safe states for retirement (New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Alabama) and warns against five states with higher risks of elder fraud, property crime, and scams (Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico).

The FBI warned New England homeowners and real estate agents about Quit Claim Deed fraud, in which scammers forge documents to illegally transfer property ownership and then sell, mortgage, or rent the properties for profit. Since 2019, the scam has cost victims over $61.5 million across New England, with Massachusetts accounting for $46 million in losses, and victims in Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island suffering an additional $15 million combined. The FBI provided recommendations for both homeowners (monitoring property records, setting up title alerts, and watching for suspicious activity) and real estate agents (requiring in-person identity verification, requesting original documentation, and confirming notary credentials) to

A Coventry, Rhode Island resident lost over $100,000 in a romance scam after being contacted by someone posing as "John William" on the dating site Plenty of Fish, who convinced the victim to send money via gift cards, wire transfers, and Bitcoin over several months. Coventry police warned the public to avoid sending money to people met online and to be suspicious of requests involving gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Criminals are increasingly targeting older adults by directing them to cryptocurrency ATMs to deposit funds, with the FTC reporting a tenfold increase in losses since 2020 and Rhode Island State Police documenting cases rising from 3 in 2023 to 40 in 2024 and 23 in the first three months of 2025—all victims over age 50, with individual losses ranging from $15,000 to $40,000. Crypto ATMs are attractive to scammers because victims are unfamiliar with them, there are no daily transaction limits, and cryptocurrency's decentralized nature makes funds nearly impossible to recover, unlike

A 75-year-old Rhode Island man pleaded guilty to laundering $35 million obtained through romance scams and elder fraud schemes by operating a "virtual CFO" business from his home. Craig Clayton faces up to 20 years in prison and hundreds of thousands in fines for money laundering conspiracy and obstruction of justice after processing funds on behalf of foreign scammers who defrauded victims out of millions of dollars.

Craig Clayton, a 75-year-old Rhode Island accountant, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and obstruction of justice for laundering over $35 million in proceeds from internet fraud schemes targeting elderly victims through romance and business scams between 2019 and 2021. Clayton used his consulting business and shell companies, including Providence Sanitizer Inc., to process the fraudulent funds and transfer money to accounts in multiple countries, while lying to authorities about his activities. Under his plea agreement, Clayton faces 2.5 to 6.5 years in prison, must pay $140,000 in restitution, and forfeit over $330,000 and a vehicle.

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to prosecute transnational elder fraud schemes that cost American seniors billions of dollars. Recent prosecutions in the District of Rhode Island include: a British national convicted in a multi-state construction fraud targeting seniors across four states for over $1 million; eight individuals indicted for orchestrating transnational tech support scams that defrauded approximately 300 seniors across 37 states of over $5 million; and two residents charged with grandparent scams that defrauded seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts of at least $230,000. The DOJ urged seniors an

The FBI Boston Division is warning New Englanders of an increasing surge in scam calls from fraudsters impersonating federal agents and law enforcement officials who use intimidation tactics—threatening arrest, property confiscation, or bank account freezes—to pressure victims into sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, 778 complaints were filed across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, resulting in total losses of $12.9 million. The FBI emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call threatening arrest or demanding payment, and victims should hang up immediately, contact their financial institutions, and report the scam to local police

Bridget Phillips of Rhode Island was victimized by serial romance scammer Ricky Morrisey, who was featured in the Netflix docuseries "Love Con Revenge." Morrisey was sentenced in September 2025 to three years (five months in jail) and ordered to pay $13,630 in restitution after stealing over $13,000 from Phillips' account tied to her deceased father's estate, plus sentimental items including a family gold coin. Morrisey employed multiple manipulation tactics across his fraud scheme, including fabricating military service stories and falsely claiming insurance money, in attempts to con multiple victims out of money.

Sherry Pocknett, a prominent Mashpee Wampanoag tribe member and 2023 James Beard Award winner, had her handmade Native American regalia stolen in August while attending a Pow Wow in Narragansett, Rhode Island. The irreplaceable items, including a bark headdress and beaded regalia made as gifts with deep cultural significance, are one-of-a-kind and cannot be worn by anyone else. A reward is being offered for the return of the regalia, with information to be submitted via Instagram to beadworkbykianga.

The FBI Boston is warning of an increase in "gold bar courier scams" targeting older adults, in which victims are pressured to purchase large sums of gold bars or cash that are then picked up by couriers working with scammers. From 2023 to May 2025, the FBI documented 103 cases in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island resulting in $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims alone losing $18.6 million. The scams typically involve three methods: grandparent scams, government impersonation, and tech support scams, all designed to pressure victims into quickly liquidating assets before they can contact family members.

Craig Clayton, a 75-year-old Rhode Island man, laundered $35 million from internet-romance and elderly-fraud scams between 2019 and 2021 through his fake "virtual CFO" business, Rochart Consulting, using shell companies and fraudulent bank accounts to send victim funds overseas to countries including China, Switzerland, and Thailand. Clayton pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and obstruction of justice, and was sentenced to four years in prison with $40,000 in restitution ordered. One of his shell companies, Providence Sanitizer, alone laundered at least $16.8 million from elderly victims and romance scam targets.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier fraud cases targeting elderly victims in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, resulting in over $26 million in losses. In these scams, fraudsters convinced victims aged 60 and older to hand over cash or gold bars to couriers by impersonating family members or government officials, with Massachusetts victims alone losing $18.6 million across 59 cases. The FBI advises inexperienced individuals, particularly seniors, to avoid engaging with unsolicited requests for money or valuables and to verify requests through official channels.