West Warwick police warning the public of panhandling scammers

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — The West Warwick Police Department announced they’ve learned of an organized group from Romania who have been aggressively panhandling at intersections throughout Rhode Island.

Police say the group uses photos displayed on cardboard of a sick child, claiming they’re collecting money on behalf of a child who is receiving cancer treatment or has died and needs money for funeral expenses. The cardboard signs also include CashApp QR codes for donors to scan.

Police determined the sick child backstory is false and the panhandlers are only collecting money to put into their own bank accounts.

Officials said group members can often be found at major intersections for up to two days at a time to collect money, then move to another location.

“[The panhandlers] are taking advantage of the goodness in people, and we want the public to be aware of this group and what they are actually about,” the department said in a post to social media.