NEWARK, N.J. (TND) — A New York City man was charged on Tuesday with helping defraud grandparents of tens of thousands of dollars.
Victor Valdez conspired with call center operators in the Dominican Republic between 2020 and 2021 to collect cash from people who thought their grandchildren were in jail, according to federal prosecutors.
The operators allegedly pretended to be the grandchild, a lawyer representing them, court staff or other people associated with the legal system before telling the grandparents they needed cash for bail. After the callers convinced the victims to hand money over, Valdez went to the New York and New Jersey homes to pick it up, the prosecutors said.
Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 for wire fraud conspiracy.
The alleged perpetrators in these scams – including this defendant – target our vulnerable senior population,” U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. “They count on the grandparents’ love and devotion to their families in order to convince them to put up money.”
Reports of fraud by older people to the FBI’s online complaint center increased by 14% last year, the agency said. Scams targeting people at least 60 years old caused more than $3.4 billion in losses, with government impersonation schemes accounting for $180 million, according to the FBI. Many of the crimes go unreported, the agency added.
“We know that the vast majority of elder abuse cases go unreported. And that too many victims remain unseen,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said last month. “That is why the Department of Justice has aggressively targeted perpetrators of elder fraud and abuse, while providing victims with the support they need.”
In May, a Nigerian man pleaded guilty to a fraud scheme aimed at tricking people into thinking they were due an inheritance, according to the Department of Justice. Amos Prince Okey Ezemma helped defraud more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly, of more than $6 million, the agency said.
Ezemma sent people personalized letters telling them they could receive their inheritance after sending money for fees and taxes, though the victims never got any money in return.
Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.
