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# Romance Scam Warning Law enforcement in New Hampshire and the broader Northeast are warning residents about romance scams, which have cost over 700 victims approximately $20 million across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Scammers typically target people seeking companionship—especially recent widows—by creating fake online personas, quickly professing love, and then requesting money for emergencies via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities advise people to watch for red flags like refusals to video call or meet in person, and urge victims not to feel ashamed but to reach out to loved ones and law enforcement for help.

# Article Summary Patrick Dallas, a 38-year-old from Atlanta, pleaded guilty to defrauding elderly people in Rhode Island and other states through a fake Publishers Clearing House lottery scheme that stole over $1 million. The scammers told victims they had won large sums of money and then tricked them into paying upfront fees, taxes, or sending valuables like gift cards and watches to collect fake prizes. Seniors should be alert to sweepstakes and lottery scams that request personal information or upfront payments, as legitimate lotteries never require fees to claim winnings.

# Travel Scams Summary Travel fraud is surging, with scammers using fake rental listings, phishing, and impersonation tactics to steal millions from vacationers—the FTC reported nearly 10,000 fraud cases in Q2 2025 totaling US$40 million, while Canada received over 108,000 fraud reports in 2024 with losses exceeding $638 million. Travelers of all experience levels are vulnerable, as demonstrated by cases like a family that lost $4,000 on a fake Rhode Island beach house rental through what appeared to be a legitimate booking site. To protect yourself, book only through official websites, verify property details independently, avoid sending upfront payments to unfamiliar contacts, and report suspicious activity to authorities like the FTC or Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

A Rhode Island man named Derek Barden lost over $2,000 after falling for a phishing scam where a scammer impersonated his bank and convinced him to share his banking information. When TD Bank's claims department initially refused to reverse the fraudulent transaction, the man sought help from a local news consumer advocacy team, which successfully recovered his money. The incident highlights the importance of being cautious when receiving unsolicited communications claiming to be from your bank—legitimate institutions typically won't ask for banking information via email or phone, so verify requests directly with your bank before sharing any personal details.

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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).

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.).

**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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Jason Rhodes and Robert Munoz were charged with federal wire fraud and identity theft conspiracy for operating grandparent scams in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, collecting approximately $230,000 from elderly victims. The scammers posed as attorneys or family members calling seniors to claim a relative needed bail money, with Rhodes and Munoz acting as couriers to collect cash; they were arrested in March after police set up an operation at a victim's residence and seized $60,000 in cash and evidence from a hotel room. Victims are urged to contact local police or the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) if they believe they've been targeted.

Two men were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating as couriers in grandparent scams targeting elderly victims across multiple states in early 2024. Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes collected approximately $230,000 from victims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts by posing as lawyers or law enforcement officials claiming grandchildren needed bail money, with evidence suggesting victims in at least nine additional states were also targeted. The defendants were apprehended after police set up surveillance at a victim's home where one defendant allegedly came to collect money, and investigators seized over $60,000 in cash from their vehicle and hotel room.

Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating as "couriers" in grandparent scams targeting seniors across multiple states including Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The scammers impersonated grandchildren in legal trouble, convincing victims to wire money for bail and legal fees, with one Rhode Island couple losing $18,000 before being asked for an additional $40,000; police arrested both men during a sting operation and recovered over $60,000 in cash, with evidence suggesting they targeted victims in at least 14 cities across nine states.

Three Georgia residents—Patrick Dallas, Stacey Robinson, and Owen Demoy Byfield—were charged in federal court for operating a sweepstakes fraud scheme targeting seniors across at least ten states, including Rhode Island, stealing at least $1 million. The fraudsters impersonated Publishers Clearing House representatives, convincing victims they had won large prizes and pressuring them to pay upfront fees via cash, gift cards, or valuable items; one 77-year-old Rhode Island victim nearly lost $163,000 before a FedEx employee's intervention alerted him to the scam. The defendants face charges for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as money laundering

Three Georgia residents have been charged with operating a multi-state Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes scam that defrauded seniors in at least ten states of over $1 million. The defendants allegedly convinced elderly victims they had won significant lottery prizes and directed them to send upfront fees, gift cards, watches, and checks to collect their winnings; one 77-year-old Rhode Island victim lost over $172,000 before a FedEx employee intervened. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering, with proceeds allegedly used to purchase property through fraudulent mortgage applications.

Three Georgia residents—Patrick Dallas, Stacey Robinson, and Owen Demoy Byfield—were charged with defrauding senior citizens across Rhode Island and other states out of at least $1 million through a fake Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes scheme, where victims were tricked into believing they won millions and pressured to pay upfront fees or taxes. One 77-year-old Rhode Island victim alone lost over $143,000 in cash, wire transfers, and luxury watches before a FedEx employee intervened; the defendants allegedly laundered funds through controlled bank accounts. The charges include conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering, with authorities noting that over 100,000

**Summary:** U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo requested assistance from the Federal Trade Commission to address elder fraud in Rhode Island, which ranked among the top ten states for increased elder fraud between 2022 and 2023. Amo asked the FTC for legislative guidance, support for a state awareness event, and additional consumer education materials, citing that fraudulent activities targeting seniors are becoming increasingly prevalent, costly, and sophisticated despite existing prevention efforts.

Elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent nationally in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses, with Rhode Islanders over 60 losing $7.4 million to scams. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, AARP Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island State Police held an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit to educate older adults on detecting and reporting fraud, emphasizing that tech support, romance, and investment scams are among the most common schemes targeting seniors. Experts stressed that victims should report incidents immediately and stay informed about evolving scams, noting that sophisticated criminals use artificial intelligence and psychological manipulation rather than targeting inherent vulnerabilities in older adults.

Rhode Island authorities are warning seniors about AI-powered voice scams that impersonate relatives or acquaintances requesting emergency money. In 2023, Rhode Islanders over 60 lost over $7 million to various scams, prompting state police to advise never sharing personal information with unknown callers.

Over 100,000 elderly Americans fell victim to fraud last year, losing more than $3.4 billion, with Rhode Island seniors alone losing approximately $7.4 million. U.S. Senator Jack Reed and partners hosted an awareness event highlighting common elder scams—including tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repair, romance, and family scams—and recommended strategies to avoid them: never volunteer personal information, be skeptical of urgent claims, avoid payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and don't hesitate to hang up on suspicious callers. Victims should report scams to local police or the FTC, and seniors can access

U.S. Senator Jack Reed partnered with AARP Rhode Island and the Rhode Island State Police to hold an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit addressing the rising threat of scams targeting older adults. According to the FBI, elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent in 2023 with losses exceeding $3.4 billion nationally, including $7.4 million lost by Rhode Islanders over age sixty. The summit emphasized public education, awareness of common scam tactics (tech support, romance, investment, and data breach scams), and the importance of reporting fraud to authorities rather than remaining silent out of embarrassment.

AARP partnered with Rhode Island State Police and U.S. Senator Jack Reed to host an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit addressing the growing threat of scams targeting older adults. Rhode Islanders over 60 lost approximately $7.4 million to fraud in the previous year, prompting officials to share detection and prevention tips, including staying informed, maintaining open communication with trusted sources, and using AARP's free Fraud Watch Network alerts to learn about trending scams.

AARP partnered with Rhode Island State Police and U.S. Senator Jack Reed to host an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit, bringing together state and federal leaders to address elder fraud issues. The event aimed to coordinate efforts and raise awareness about protecting seniors from fraud and scams.

Rhode Island authorities, including AARP and state police, warned senior citizens about escalating phone and online scams using artificial intelligence technology to impersonate family members or create false emergencies. In 2023, over 100,000 seniors nationally lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with Rhode Islanders over 60 losing $7.4 million that year. The advisory recommends never sharing personal information with unknown callers, ignoring urgent claims about compromised accounts, and reporting fraud to local police and the FTC.

Over 100,000 seniors nationwide reported losing more than $3.4 billion to fraud last year, with Rhode Island residents over 60 losing $7.4 million, increasingly victimized by AI-enabled scams including voice replication and tech support fraud. U.S. Senator Jack Reed partnered with AARP Rhode Island and state police to host a fraud prevention education event offering seniors practical advice: never share personal information with unknown callers, beware of urgent notices, designate trusted contacts, and hang up on suspicious calls demanding immediate payment. Investment scams posed the greatest financial risk to seniors, while tech support scams were the most commonly reported fraud type.

Wisdom Oghenekaro Onyobeno, 44, an Atlanta man, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam and money laundering conspiracy that targeted elderly widows and divorcees across Rhode Island and other states, resulting in losses exceeding $5.8 million. Onyobeno and his co-conspirators used dating apps and online games to create false personas—posing as military members, contractors, or government officials—to convince victims to send money for fabricated emergencies, which was then laundered through shell bank accounts and business entities. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal

Wisdom Onyobeno was sentenced to 121 months in prison for orchestrating a romance scam that targeted widowed women, primarily in their 60s and 70s, exploiting their grief, faith, and desire for companionship. The scheme left multiple victims, including a Rhode Island woman, financially devastated and emotionally traumatized. Onyobeno admitted to acting "in greed" while preying on his victims' vulnerability and trust.

HSI arrested two men in Rhode Island in connection with elder fraud schemes targeting seniors through online pop-up scams. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada was charged after allegedly defrauding a 79-year-old man of $30,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars by impersonating federal authorities and falsely claiming his assets were compromised; a 72-year-old victim lost nearly $200,000 in a similar scheme involving Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, who posed as an FTC agent directing the victim to purchase and deliver gold bullion.

Two individuals, Jirui Liu (22, Canada) and Kush J. Patel (22, Connecticut), were charged with wire fraud and money laundering in separate but similar schemes targeting Rhode Island seniors. Liu's scheme defrauded a 79-year-old victim of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through fake pop-up warnings about illegal activity, while Patel's scheme extracted approximately $363,090 in gold bullion from another victim using the same tactics; both defendants were arrested when law enforcement arranged controlled deliveries of counterfeit items.

Two out-of-state men faced federal charges for defrauding two elderly Rhode Island residents through gold bullion scams totaling approximately $530,000 in losses and purchases. The scammers used fake online popup messages falsely accusing the victims (ages 79 and 72) of child pornography and money laundering offenses, then impersonated federal authorities to direct them to purchase and surrender gold bars and cash. Law enforcement from multiple agencies coordinated to apprehend one conspirator during a controlled delivery in September, with ongoing investigations into similar schemes.

Two individuals were charged in federal court for operating online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, defrauded a 79-year-old man of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through a scheme involving fake pop-up warnings and impersonation of federal authorities; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, defrauded a 72-year-old victim of approximately $363,000 in gold bullion using similar tactics. Both perpetrators were ordered detained and face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering

Two men—22-year-old Jirui Liu of Ontario and 22-year-old Kush J. Patel of Connecticut—have been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for running online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Liu's scheme defrauded a 79-year-old man of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars, while Patel's scam victimized another Rhode Islander of approximately $200,000. Both defendants have been detained and appeared in court.