Goshen police probe fake CVS donations claimed for JV basketball team

Donors who handed cash or sent money to a man outside the CVS at 109 Clowes Ave. thought they were helping the Goshen JV basketball team. Police say the solicitation unraveled quickly once investigators checked the story against the team roster and people connected to the program.

The Village of Goshen Police Department opened the case the evening of April 8 after a woman reported what she believed was a legitimate donation. When she got home and mentioned the encounter to her son, who plays on the JV squad, she learned he had never heard of the person asking for money. Chief Ryan Rich said that prompted officers to dig deeper and determine that the solicitor was a 20-year-old male with no connection to Goshen.

Police said several people had already contributed, either in cash or through Zelle. One victim told investigators the suspect appeared to have hundreds of dollars in cash in his hand. Rich said police still could not say how much money was collected that day, and no arrest had been made in the April 8 case as of the latest update.

The Goshen Central School District later issued a donation scam alert, saying the effort was not affiliated with any GCSD school club or organization. The district warned residents to be wary of money requests tied to school athletics, especially if the person collecting cannot clearly explain who they represent, where the money will go or how the fundraiser is authorized. It also urged people to avoid sending donations through Zelle, Cash App, Venmo or PayPal when trying to verify district-related requests. Anyone affected was told to call the Village of Goshen Police Department at (845) 294-7988.

The concern grew after police arrested a different person outside the same CVS on April 11. That suspect, an 18-year-old from New York City, allegedly carried a flyer with a fake basketball team name, logo and QR code. He was charged with attempted scheme to defraud. Investigators are still trying to determine whether the April 8 and April 11 incidents were connected or whether both were part of a wider scam trend.

For Goshen families, the case is a reminder that youth sports fundraisers rely on trust, and scammers know it. A quick check with the school, team parents or district offices can be the difference between a real donation and money that disappears with the next parking lot pitch.