WPD Grandparent Scam Sting Nabs Duo

WARWICK, RI — A scam victim called Warwick Police in the midst of the scheme March 7, aiding police in a grandparent scam sting arrest of two men, seizure of cash and evidence of other victims.

On March 7, 2024, a victim reported to the Warwick Police Department they were the victims of a scam, according to a WPD statement on the sting and subsequent arrests.

Officer Andrew Chretien identified the reported scam as ongoing and brought detectives in to assist. The police planned to attempt a controlled delivery to the suspect on March 8 at the victim’s home.

In the morning of March 8, members of the Warwick Police Department’s Night Detectives, Special Operations Group, Financial Crimes and Criminal Investigations units began working with the victims to insure the suspect was still planning on receiving the victim’s money. At around 2 p.m., Detectives inside the residence spotted a subject walking up to the residence matching the description of a suspect from a similar scam that had just been reported in Coventry, RI. After delivery was made, Detectives Arico and Sarkisian arrested Jason Rhodes, 34, of Flushing, NY, after a brief foot pursuit, according to police.

Detectives conducting surveillance of the delivery also arrested the suspected getaway driver, identified as Robert Munoz, 29, of Miami, FL.

Both suspects were charged with Obtaining Property Under False Pretenses in violation of RIGL 11-41-4 and Conspiracy-Felony in violation of RIGL 11-1-6.  

As part of the investigation, a court authorized search warrant for a Warwick hotel room registered in Munoz’s name was executed. Detectives seized evidence connecting the suspects to other “grandparent scams” as well as a large sum of US currency. This remains an active investigation. Detectives are looking at other evidence to try to locate other victims, as this scam is being reported throughout Rhode Island, Warwick Police said in the statement. 

How a Grandparent Scam works

According to WPD Lt. Christopher Lo, a grandparent scam typically follows this pattern:

An elderly person will get a phone call from a person pretending to be a lawyer saying the victim’s grandchild is in trouble with the law.

They will ask for bail/court fines in cash, to be picked up by a courier. The caller will give specific instructions on getting the money and packaging it.

The caller will then send someone to the victim’s house, having the victim the stay on the phone and hand over the money. Sometimes the caller will continue this with the same victim numerous times.

It is suggested for people who get these types of calls to contact the grandchild or another family member first, then law enforcement to report this, Lo said.

The Warwick Police Department urged anyone who believes they may be the victim of this or a similar scam to contact their respective police department.