In a significant crackdown on fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable elderly Americans, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced charges against sixteen individuals allegedly involved in a widespread “grandparent scam.”
This elaborate operation aimed to deceive hundreds of elderly citizens, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars.
Among those charged are eleven men from the Dominican Republic, indicted on a range of counts including mail and wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and related offenses.
The named individuals already in custody include Juan Rafael Parra Arias, aka “Yofre,” 40; Rafael Ambiorix Rodriguez Guzman, aka “Max Morgan,” 59; Felix Samuel Reynoso Ventura, aka “Fili,” aka “Filly The Kid,” 36; and Jose Ismael Dilone Rodriguez, 34.
Also indicted are Nefy Vladimir Parra Arias, aka “Keko,” 39; Nelson Rafael Gonzalez Acevedo, aka “Nelson Tech,” 35; Miguel Angel Fortuna Solano, aka “Botija,” aka “Boti,” 41; Carlos Javier Estevez, 45; Louis Junior Serrano Rodriguez, aka “Junior,” 27; Miguel Angel Vasquez, aka “Miguel Disla,” 24; and Jovanni Antonio Rosario Garcia, aka “Porky,” aka “Chop,” 45.
Another five defendants, including individuals from New York and Brooklyn, were charged by complaint with wire fraud conspiracy linked to the same scheme. They are Endy Jose Torres Moran, 21, of Brooklyn, New York; Ivan Alexander Inoa Suero, 32, of the Bronx, New York; Jhonny Cepeda, 27, and Ramon Hurtado, 43, both of New York; and Yuleisy Roque, 21, of the Bronx.
The accusations paint a picture of a sophisticated network that exploited familial bonds and manipulated emotions to swindle unsuspecting victims.
The modus operandi of the scam involved impersonating grandchildren or close relatives of the victims, claiming to be in dire circumstances such as legal trouble following a fabricated car accident.
The perpetrators, operating from call centers in the Dominican Republic, used technology to make it appear as though the calls originated within the United States, enhancing their credibility.
Once the victims were convinced of the supposed emergency, other members of the scheme posing as attorneys, law enforcement officers, or court personnel would coerce them into providing large sums of cash to aid their distressed loved ones. This cash was then collected by couriers, often using false identities and providing fake receipts to the victims.
“As alleged, these 16 defendants preyed upon grandparents’ familial love and devotion, cheating them out of millions of dollars,” said Sellinger. “In this ‘grandparents’ scam,’ the defendants allegedly impersonated grandchildren in distress, claiming, for example, they had been arrested after a car accident involving a pregnant woman who later miscarried, and they needed immediate cash for bail or a lawyer.”
“The panic-stricken grandparents quickly paid—sometimes tens of thousands of dollars,” said Sellinger. “My office is committed to protecting the rights of all victims, and we will relentlessly prosecute those who allegedly target vulnerable seniors to steal their hard-earned savings.”
The indictment alleges that the operation victimized hundreds of elderly individuals across multiple states, including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, resulting in the loss of substantial amounts of money.
Authorities involved in the investigation have emphasized the severity of these crimes and their dedication to pursuing justice for the victims. U.S. Attorney Sellinger highlighted the commitment to protecting the rights of all victims and vowed to prosecute those who target vulnerable seniors relentlessly.
The investigation leading to these charges was a collaborative effort involving various agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, and the New York Police Department, among others.
While the accused individuals face severe penalties, including potential prison terms of up to 20 years and significant fines, it’s crucial to remember that they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Members of the conspiracy referred to as “openers” called elderly victims in the United States and impersonated the victims’ children, grandchildren, or other close relatives. The call centers used technology to make it appear that the calls were coming from inside the United States. Typically, the victim was told that their grandchild had been in a car accident, was arrested as a result of the accident, and needed help.
Once openers duped victims into believing their loved ones were in dire trouble, others working at the call centers, known as “closers,” impersonated defense attorneys, police officers, or court personnel and convinced victims to provide thousands of dollars in cash to help their loved ones.
Closers, including defendants Rodriguez Guzman, Fortuna Solano, Reynoso Ventura, and Estevez, typically told victims to give the cash to couriers who they sent to victims’ homes to collect their money. Other times, closers instructed victims to send the cash by mail.
Once victims were convinced to give cash, call center “dispatchers,” including Serrano Rodriguez, Vasquez, Rosario Rodriguez, and Dilone Rodriguez recruited and managed a network of U.S.-based couriers to steal cash from the elderly victims across the Northeast.
Those U.S.-based couriers, including the five charged by complaint, typically went to the elderly victims’ home to retrieve the cash, often using false names and providing victims with fake receipts in exchange. The couriers then brought the cash to other members of the conspiracy, who sent the victims’ money back to the Dominican Republic.
This latest development underscores the ongoing threat posed by fraudsters targeting the elderly and serves as a reminder for individuals to remain vigilant against such scams.
As law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to combat financial exploitation, awareness and reporting remain key tools in protecting vulnerable members of society from falling victim to similar schemes in the future.