Bronx Man Charged for Role in International “Grandparent Scam"

A New York resident faces federal charges for his alleged involvement in a sophisticated scam targeting elderly Americans, operating out of the Dominican Republic.

Newark, NJ – Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of wire fraud conspiracy, with the indictment being unsealed today in Newark federal court. Valdez is accused of acting as a courier for a "grandparent scam" that deceived elderly victims across the United States into believing their grandchildren were in legal trouble and needed cash urgently.

The operation, based in call centers in the Dominican Republic, contacted victims through phone calls, falsely claiming to be grandchildren, lawyers, or other legal system affiliates. Victims were persuaded to hand over cash to couriers like Valdez, who personally visited their homes to collect the money. Between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez is alleged to have collected or attempted to collect tens of thousands of dollars from these defrauded individuals 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, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, 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.”

The scam has severe penalties attached, with potential consequences for Valdez including up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 if convicted.

The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Silane of the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Joshua Ferrentino of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch.

Authorities also remind the public that help is available for elderly victims of financial fraud through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11. This hotline offers support for victims and can assist in reporting fraud to increase the chances of recovering financial losses.

For further details on the government's efforts to combat elder fraud, visit the Justice Department's Elder Justice Initiative and the Consumer Protection Branch websites.

It is important to note that an indictment is not an indication of guilt and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.