PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island man has been charged with operating a large-scale identity fraud scam, according to state police.
Samuel Mate, 35, of Pawtucket, was charged this week with five counts of identity fraud and 22 counts of wrongfully obtaining telecommunication services. He did not enter a plea.
State police began investigating a scam reported by the cable provider, Cox Communications, in 2018. Authorities say Mate stole several people’s identities and used them to open fraudulent accounts with Cox Communications throughout Rhode Island. Mate allegedly received about $28,600 through the scam.
In 2017, Mate was convicted of identity fraud and obtaining money under false pretenses after a similar investigation. He set up over 100 fraudulent accounts with Cox Communications, resulting in a loss of over $96,000 to the company, according to state police.
Mate was referred to the public defender’s office. No attorney was listed in court records who could comment on his behalf.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.