2 Rhode Island Men Indicted Over Alleged Roles In 'Grandparent Scam'

Federal prosecutors say two Rhode Island men have been indicted on charges of defrauding or trying to defraud older people out of thousands of dollars by pretending to be children or grandchildren in legal trouble who needed money.

Prosecutors said Monday that 35-year-old Vidal Roquez and 26-year-old Schmitt Prado, both of Providence, ran what authorities called the "grandparent scam" that targeted nine residents of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

They are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Emails seeking comment were left with their attorneys. They were caught in February 2020 when a Little Compton, Rhode Island resident became suspicious and called police.