Rhode Island man charged after elderly woman reportedly scammed out of $34,000

A Rhode Island man is facing several charges after an elderly woman was reportedly scammed out of thousands.

According to police, on Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a residence on Orchard Drive in Scituate, Rhode Island for a possible elder scam.

On arrival, patrols were made aware that the elderly victim had already delivered approximately $34,000 in cash to two different men on separate occasions earlier in the day after she was hit with a common scam.

This scam made the victim believe that her grandson was in legal trouble from a motor vehicle accident, and that the funds she provided would help secure his freedom.

Sgt. Jason Riquier immediately began to work with the victim to arrange for the scammers to return on Thursday, when they intended to take advantage of her yet again by stealing another $18,000 in cash.

The victim worked with police and on Thursday afternoon, 34-year-old David Bollwage of Exeter, RI, arrived at the victim’s residence to take possession of the third installment of money, police say.

Det. Sgt. Mathew King, who was in the area, was informed by the victim that Bollwage was the man who had received the second payment on Wednesday.

Once the elderly victim gave Bollwage possession of the package, he turned to leave.

Det. Sgt. King informed Bollwage to stop. He continued to try to walk away and was taken into custody.

It was determined that Bollwage was alone at the time of the arrest.

Det. Sgt. King was assisted in the arrest by Sgt. Riquier, Officer Christopher DeCesare, Officer Joseph Scotti, Officer Michael LaScala, and Officer Raymond Peters.

On Friday, Bollwage was arraigned at Third District Court on violations of 2 counts of Obtaining Money Under False Pretense (Elderly Victim), Conspiracy, and Obstructing an Officer in Execution of Duty.

The matter remains under investigation.