Boston, September 19, 2025
News Summary
Boston police are investigating a fraud scheme involving three suspects who posed as donation collectors outside stores, pressuring victims and resulting in credit card charges totaling thousands of dollars. The incidents occurred near Whole Foods and Walgreens, with victims reporting aggressive tactics and unexpected high charges. Authorities are urging anyone with information to assist in identifying the suspects, one of whom has a distinctive tattoo. Police emphasize the importance of checking credit card statements and reporting suspicious behavior.
Boston — Boston police are asking the public for help identifying three suspects in a fraud scheme that left multiple victims with credit card charges totaling thousands of dollars after the suspects posed as donation collectors outside popular stores.
What happened
Police say the case involves a group of men who targeted customers near major retail locations, pressuring them to allow credit-card donations that were later charged at much higher amounts than initially promised. Law enforcement opened an active investigation and is seeking tips from anyone who recognizes the suspects or the reported behavior.
Key facts
- Three individuals had money stolen outside popular Boston stores.
- The incidents involved a group of men who claimed they were collecting donations.
- The fraud occurred outside a Whole Foods in the South End and a Walgreens in South Boston.
- Two incidents took place on a Saturday, with the third incident occurring on the following Wednesday.
- Victims reported that the men pressured them into giving money via credit card, citing a family tragedy as their reason.
- Initially, the fraudsters claimed they would charge small amounts of money, between $5 and $15.
- Instead, victims ended up charged thousands of dollars.
- In one incident at Walgreens, the men reportedly would not accept a victim’s refusal to donate and grabbed her phone.
- They approved a $4,000 charge by responding to an authorization message from her credit card company.
- Police are asking the public for assistance in identifying the suspects involved.
- One man sought by police has a tattoo that reads “Red” above his left eyebrow.
- Boston police are actively investigating the matter and encourage anyone with information to contact them.
Where and when
The reported fraud occurred outside a Whole Foods in the South End and a Walgreens in South Boston. Two of the incidents happened on a Saturday, while a third took place on the following Wednesday. Police identified these locations and times while compiling victim reports and reviewing available evidence.
How the fraud was carried out
According to victims’ accounts collected by investigators, the suspects approached shoppers and represented themselves as people collecting donations for a family tragedy. The suspects asked for payment by credit card and initially told victims the charge would be a small amount, between $5 and $15. Victims then received credit card authorization messages and, in several cases, larger charges were approved. In one Walgreens incident, the suspects allegedly would not accept refusal, physically grabbed a victim’s phone and approved a $4,000 charge by responding to an authorization message.
Suspect description and identifying details
Police described the individuals as a group of men. Investigators specifically noted that one man sought by police has a tattoo that reads “Red” above his left eyebrow. Authorities released still images to aid identification and are asking anyone who recognizes the suspects to come forward.
Police response and public appeal
Boston police are actively investigating the matter and encourage anyone with information to contact them. Officers advise anyone who believes they were targeted to check recent credit card statements, report suspicious charges to their card issuer, and contact Boston police to provide any details, photos, or video that could help the investigation.
Safety and prevention advice
- Do not hand over phones or cards to strangers in public.
- Ask for official identification from anyone soliciting donations and consider declining in-person donation requests if you are unsure.
- Use secure methods to donate, such as verified websites or known charities, and confirm charges with your card issuer immediately if an authorization appears unexpectedly.
- Report aggressive or coercive solicitation to local police right away.
Background context
Fraud schemes that use emotional appeals to solicit payments in public are a known criminal tactic. These incidents in Boston involved credit card authorization systems that can be manipulated when a victim’s phone or response to an authorization is controlled by another person. Law enforcement agencies often rely on public tips, video evidence, and transaction records to investigate and pursue charges in such cases.
FAQ
Q: What happened?
A: Three individuals had money stolen outside popular Boston stores.
Q: Who was involved?
A: The incidents involved a group of men who claimed they were collecting donations.
Q: Where did the fraud occur?
A: The fraud occurred outside a Whole Foods in the South End and a Walgreens in South Boston.
Q: When did the incidents take place?
A: Two incidents took place on a Saturday, with the third incident occurring on the following Wednesday.
Q: How did the suspects pressure victims?
A: Victims reported that the men pressured them into giving money via credit card, citing a family tragedy as their reason.
Q: How much were victims told they would be charged?
A: Initially, the fraudsters claimed they would charge small amounts of money, between $5 and $15.
Q: What actually happened to the charges?
A: Instead, victims ended up charged thousands of dollars.
Q: Was there a reported confrontation?
A: In one incident at Walgreens, the men reportedly would not accept a victim’s refusal to donate and grabbed her phone.
Q: What was the largest reported charge?
A: They approved a $4,000 charge by responding to an authorization message from her credit card company.
Q: What are police asking the public to do?
A: Police are asking the public for assistance in identifying the suspects involved.
Q: Is there any distinctive suspect detail?
A: One man sought by police has a tattoo that reads “Red” above his left eyebrow.
Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: Boston police are actively investigating the matter and encourage anyone with information to contact them.
Useful information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Locations reported | Whole Foods in the South End; Walgreens in South Boston |
| Number of incidents | Three reported incidents (two on a Saturday, one the following Wednesday) |
| Victim guidance | Check recent credit card statements, report suspicious charges to your card issuer, and contact Boston police with tips or evidence |
| Distinctive suspect detail | One man has a tattoo reading “Red” above his left eyebrow |
| How to help | Provide photos, video, descriptions, or any tips to Boston police to assist the ongoing investigation |
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston: Credit Card Donation Theft
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Boston Herald: Monica Cannon-Grant Indicted
- Google Search: Boston Fraud Cases
- Boston Globe: Monica Cannon-Grant to Plead Guilty
- Google Scholar: Fraud Investigation in Boston
- CBS News: Cancer TikTok Scam
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- 997 WPRO: BLM Activist Guilty Plea
- Google News: Boston Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
