Police: Scammers Using Image Of Warwick Boy With Cancer

WARWICK, RI — The father of a little boy who is struggling with cancer is warning the public about scam artists trying to raise money by using his child's image online, and the Warwick Police Department is also warning the public to beware.

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The community has rallied behind 2-year-old Rowan Shaw, and the real GoFundMe page has helped raised more than $20,000 to help him and his family. Legitimate Fight For Rowan decals can be purchased at the Warwick Police station.

Unfortunately, online scammers have appropriated photos of Rowan and the #FightforRowan decal image. A fraudulent cash app under "$fightforrowan" was discovered, and a scammer also started an Instagram page "Fighting for Rowan," said Rowan's father, David Shaw, on Facebook.

"This is very serious, we do not want a single person to be a victim of any scams, especially one claiming to be part of our child’s fundraisers," said Shaw. He said he is working to have the fraudulent pages taken down, and that he has notified the police.

Capt. Joel Thomas today said the Warwick Police Department is investigating and doing its part to let the public know about the fraudulent fundraising activity.