GRAND RAPIDS — A 20-year-old man from Ohio, RaShawn Carter, faces a felony theft charge after allegedly scamming elderly residents in Grand Rapids and Hibbing out of more than $49,000 earlier this week.
On Monday, February 3, the Itasca County Dispatch Center received numerous reports from citizens about a scam targeting elderly individuals. The victims reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming that their grandson had been arrested after a car accident and needed immediate payment of $17,000 for legal fees or bail.
In each case, the scammer directed the victims to prepare cash envelopes. Shortly after the calls, an unknown man appeared at their homes to collect the money. Two of the victims were from Grand Rapids, and one was from Hibbing. The scam was executed in the same way for all three.
Following a detailed investigation, including reviewing home security footage and victim descriptions, police identified and arrested RaShawn Carter of Canton, Ohio. A search of Carter’s vehicle uncovered approximately $42,800 in cash, along with signed envelopes from the victims. The combined amount stolen from the three victims totaled more than $49,000.
Carter has been booked into the Itasca County Jail.
Grand Rapids Police Chief Andy Morgan issued a reminder for residents to be cautious of similar scams, urging individuals to verify claims of family members in distress by contacting the person directly or reaching out to another trusted family member.
Anyone who has experienced a similar scam is encouraged to report it to the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office at (218) 326-3477.
