Newark Reporter

NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man is alleged to have acted as a courier for a Dominican Republic-based “grandparent scam” that targeted elderly Americans.

Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, New York, was charged by a federal grand jury with one count of wire fraud conspiracy for his role in the scam. According to the indictment unsealed today in Newark, the scam operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic, making phone calls to elderly American victims purporting to be the victim’s grandchild, an attorney representing the grandchild in criminal proceedings, court personnel or other persons associated with the legal system. Conspirators told the victims that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed cash for bail or other expenses. Once victims were convinced through lies and falsehoods, coconspirators instructed them to provide cash to couriers, including Valdez, who went to victims’ homes to pick up the money.

While acting as a courier for the scam between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez is alleged to have retrieved or attempted to retrieve tens of thousands of dollars from defrauded victims at their homes in New York and New Jersey.

“The alleged perpetrators in these scams – including this defendant – target our vulnerable senior population. They count on the grandparents’ love and devotion to their families in order to convince them to put up money. As alleged in this indictment, the defendant today worked as a courier, traveling to the homes of the scam victims to pick up the money. My office will protect the rights of all victims, and we will relentlessly prosecute those who allegedly target the vulnerable to cheat them out of their savings,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue individuals who prey on vulnerable and elderly victims through fraudulent schemes,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton said. “We will continue to identify perpetrators of these schemes and prioritize the pursuit of those who deliberately target vulnerable consumers, whether located in the United States or abroad.”

“Mr. Valdez knowingly preyed upon the elderly for his own gain,” Inspector General Gail S. Ennis for the Social Security Administration (SSA) said. “We appreciate our law enforcement partners joining us in investigating and prosecuting these complex international scams aimed at defrauding elderly Americans, many of whom rely on SSA benefits to make ends meet.”

If convicted of the offense in the indictment, Valdez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

The Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Silane for District Jersey and Trial Attorney Joshua Ferrentino are prosecuting it.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, professionals are available at National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline can provide personalized support by assessing needs and identifying relevant next steps.

More information about efforts against elder fraud is available at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.