WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — Police arrested a New York man for attempting to scam an elderly man out of thousands of dollars.
Investigators said they received a tip that a package was going to be delivered by UPS containing money that was part of a phone scam.
The victim, identified as a 94-year-old man from California, was told that his grandson was arrested in Rhode Island and needed $8,500 to be released on bail. The victim sent the money as he was told.
Police later arrested Louis Valdez, 23, of Bronx, New York, when he tried to get the package with a fake New Jersey identification card.
Valdez was charged with identity fraud, obtaining money under false pretenses and conspiracy.