Four Ashland Teens Busted For Fundraising Scam

(Editor's note: one person's name was removed from this article as they provided Patch documentation showing the case was dismissed.)

Four Ashland teenagers were arrested Thursday for allegedly selling fake raffle tickets in Weston, according to police.

Sean Mullin, (removed) and James Sheehan, all 17, are each facing a count of larceny by false pretense after selling claiming they were Weston High School athletes and selling fake raffle tickets to benefit the cross country track team.

All four individuals were arraigned on Friday at Waltham District Court and were freed on their own recognizance. If you believe you fell victim to the scam, please call Weston Police.

At around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, police received a report from a Weston resident for two teens, later identified as (removed) and Sheehan, that had visited his home to attempt the scam, according to police.

“In addition to the raffle tickets that sold for $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00, the teens had a flier with the Town seal detailing the fund raising campaign. However, when the resident began asking questions about the event the teens were not prepared to answer even the most basic question such as “who is the coach?,” police said in a press release.

The resident, who was convinced the kids were running a scam, bought three tickets as proof.

“He then watched as the nervous teens tried to leave the area only to drive down long driveways they thought were roads. The teens, sensing their scam may not be working as planned returned to the resident’s home where he was still in the driveway watching them. The teens quietly returned his money and rapidly fled the area. At this time, the resident called police and was able to provide a detailed description of the teens and the registration number on the car they were driving,” police said.

Later, two officers located the car on Route 30 where they found Mullin and his friend. Each kid admitted to the scam, according to police.

“They stated they were broke and had heard about this type of scam as a way to make money from friends at Ashland High School,” police said.

Police searched the car and found raffle tickets as well as fliers for Weston High School and Algonquin High School detailing the fake fundraising efforts. Police also found evidence the kids sold tickets to at least two other Weston residents. Police also found a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia.

“It’s obvious these individuals did not think this through very well. In addition to the fact they didn’t take the time to do a little research about our school programs and the names of coaches they also tried to pull this off in a community that graduates less than 200 students a year and everyone pretty much knows each other.,” police said.