Romance Scam Scheme Targets Seniors in Rhode Island, Netting Millions
A string of romance fraud cases has swept across Rhode Island, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. In a disturbing trend, scammers have been targeting seniors, feigning romantic interest and extracting money or property under false pretenses.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island announced the conviction of Bryan James, a British national from Northern Ireland, in connection with a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme targeting seniors. James, along with his co-conspirators, falsely represented their experiences, skills, and business experiences while misrepresenting to property owners’ construction needs or repairs required on their properties.
The scheme defrauded victims in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York, netting over a million dollars. ‘Cases involving elder fraud are among the most heartbreaking cases our law enforcement partners investigate and that we prosecute,’ commented Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom. ‘This office and federal, state, and local law enforcement are committed to working together to hold accountable those who prey on some of our most vulnerable citizens and strip them of their hard-earned savings.’
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has highlighted several actions taken to protect American seniors, including cases against those who engage in romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. In a separate case, eight individuals were indicted for their roles in orchestrating and executing elaborate transnational fraud and money laundering schemes targeting elderly citizens in the United States and Canada.
Defendant: Bryan James
Criminal Charges: Participating in a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme targeting seniors
City and State: Rhode Island
Date: June 12, 2025
Sentence: Convicted
Dollar Amounts: Over $1 million in losses
Related Federal Cases
- Jaymark Larios, Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Rhode Island 2023 · Massachusetts
- Octavio Andres Difo-Castro, Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Rhode Island 2021 · Connecticut
- Reysean Williams, Sex Trafficking of a Minor, Rhode Island 2017 · Alabama
- Dean Emmanuel Colin, ATM Cashout Scheme, Rhode Island 2024 · Connecticut
- Letitia James Secures SNAP Funding Order, New York NY, 2024 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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