Providence Man Pleads To Phony Check Scam

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence pleaded guilty on Monday to defrauding Rhode Island and Massachusetts banks through a fake check scam. Edmilson Rodrigues, 21, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and three counts of bank fraud.

According to Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman's office, Rodrigues admitted to depositing fraudulent checks in banks, then quickly withdrawing the money before the bank found out it was fake. The checks were given to members of he conspiracy by people on the inside at law firms, social service agencies and colleges in the area.

The fake deposits were made at least 18 times between May 2013 and February 2019, totaling around $100,000. Rodrigues said he joined the scheme in June 2017, depositing the checks himself or ordering others to do so.