News Summary
A 27-year-old man from Flint, Michigan, Mattek Scott, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, defrauding a Rhode Island retailer of around $140,000. He and his co-conspirators executed a series of fraudulent transactions using fake debit and credit cards across multiple states. The losses from this scheme highlight significant concerns within the retail sector. Sentencing is scheduled for November 2025, while co-conspirator Ariana Asberry has already been sentenced and ordered to pay restitution.
Rhode Island – A 27-year-old man from Flint, Michigan, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme that defrauded a retail outlet based in Rhode Island of approximately $140,000. The plea was entered in U.S. District Court and involved Mattek Scott, who operated the fraud alongside co-conspirators, including 26-year-old Ariana Asberry, also from Flint.
The fraudulent activities took place over an extended period, from June 2022 until April 3, 2024. During this time, Scott and his associates allegedly deceived at least 35 retail outlets across 11 states, including Rhode Island. Their methodology involved obtaining money, pre-paid gift cards, and merchandise using fraudulent debit and credit cards.
According to court records, the conspirators devised a system to manipulate transactions. When they encountered declined fraudulent payments, they employed tactics to mislead cashiers into processing transactions without the actual payment being made. These counterfeit cards were loaded with U.S. currency, often valued between $199 and $500, leading to significant financial losses for the retailers involved.
Both Scott and Asberry traveled to various retail locations to purchase new pre-paid cards using the illegitimately acquired cards. Following these transactions, the proceeds were directed toward covering various personal expenses, which included hotel stays, meals, groceries, car repairs, utility bills, gas, and other convenience store purchases.
The Rhode Island retail outlet that was victimized has not been publicly identified, however, the total financial blow from this fraud scheme reached around $140,000. This substantial loss highlights the far-reaching impact of such illegal activity on businesses, particularly in today’s challenging retail environment.
Mattek Scott’s sentencing is scheduled for November 20, 2025, where a federal district judge will determine the consequences of his actions. In comparison, Ariana Asberry, who pleaded guilty earlier on November 20, 2024, has already been sentenced to time served and subjected to three years of federal supervised release. Additionally, she has been ordered to pay restitution totaling $138,633.01.
This case has been prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Julianne Klein, emphasizing the serious nature of wire fraud conspiracies. Further investigation was carried out by Homeland Security Investigations, demonstrating a coordinated effort to combat fraud and protect businesses from financial crimes.
The plea agreement and ongoing legal proceedings serve as a reminder of the significance of integrity in retail operations and the financial threats posed by such fraudulent schemes. As the case progresses, it will likely bring increased awareness of the variety of tactics employed by fraudsters to exploit vulnerabilities within commercial establishments.
Overall, the outcome will hopefully serve as a cautionary tale for other retailers and highlight the importance of vigilance in financial transactions to prevent similar occurrences of fraud in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fall River Reporter
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- GoLocalProv
- Google Search: fraud schemes
- ABC 6
- Google Scholar: wire fraud schemes
- Patch
- Encyclopedia Britannica: money laundering
- Boston 25 News
- Google News: financial fraud
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence 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 WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
