Sixteen Charged in Extensive "Grandparent Scam" Targeting Elderly New Jerseyans

Network Defrauded Seniors Across Multiple States, Stealing Millions of Dollars

NEWARK, N.J. – Sixteen individuals have been charged in connection with a widespread "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly Americans out of millions of dollars. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Eleven of the accused are from the Dominican Republic and face a 19-count indictment including mail and wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. They include:

*Juan Rafael Parra Arias, aka "Yofre," 40
Nefy Vladimir Parra Arias, aka "Keko," 39
Nelson Rafael Gonzalez Acevedo, aka "Nelson Tech," 35
*Rafael Ambiorix Rodriguez Guzman, aka "Max Morgan," 59
Miguel Angel Fortuna Solano, aka "Botija," aka "Boti," 41
*Felix Samuel Reynoso Ventura, aka "Fili," aka "Filly The Kid," 36
Carlos Javier Estevez, 45
Louis Junior Serrano Rodriguez, aka "Junior," 27
Miguel Angel Vasquez, aka "Miguel Disla," 24
Jovanni Antonio Rosario Garcia, aka "Porky," aka "Chop," 45
*Jose Ismael Dilone Rodriguez, 34
(*indicates currently in custody)

Additionally, five more individuals were charged by complaint with wire fraud conspiracy: Endy Jose Torres Moran, 21, of Brooklyn, New York; Ivan Alexander Inoa Suero, 32, of the Bronx, New York; Jhonny Cepeda, 27; Ramon Hurtado, 43, both of New York; and Yuleisy Roque, 21, of the Bronx.

“As alleged, these 16 defendants preyed upon grandparents’ familial love and devotion, cheating them out of millions of dollars. 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 U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

According to the indictment, Juan Rafael Parra Arias, Nefy Vladimir Parra Arias, and Nelson Rafael Gonzalez Acevedo operated call centers in the Dominican Republic. They allegedly targeted elderly residents in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. The scam involved "openers" who impersonated victims' relatives, claiming they were in legal trouble and needed financial help. "Closers" then posed as legal professionals, convincing victims to provide cash.

The scheme involved dispatchers like Serrano Rodriguez, Vasquez, Rosario Garcia, and Dilone Rodriguez, who managed U.S.-based couriers. These couriers, including the five charged by complaint, collected cash from victims' homes or through mail, using false names and fake receipts. The money was then funneled back to the Dominican Republic.

“For their own selfish gain, these accused individuals threatened innocent Americans’ livelihoods, and robbed them of their precious time and any nest eggs they had secured for themselves," said Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York, Acting Special Agent in Charge Darren B. McCormack.

“We allege these scammers created an elaborate scheme revolving around a grandchild reaching out to say they were in trouble, had been arrested, and needed help,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Then to reinforce an immediate need for cash, these fraudsters allegedly posed as attorneys, law enforcement officers and court employees explaining how grandparents can get them money. Even the most jaded and savvy of us out there may pause a moment, thinking that this could actually be real. That’s the insidious nature of this particular fraud, criminals are preying on our instinct to protect our families. We ask anyone who believes they could also be a victim to report it at www.ic3.gov.”

Each charge in the indictment and complaint carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison, with fines up to $250,000 for mail and wire fraud, and $500,000 for money laundering.

The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.