A Bronx man is facing 20 years for his role in an international “grandparent scam” that preyed on elderly people with grandchildren.
Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, allegedly collected tens of thousands of dollars from grandparents in New York and New Jersey between August 2020 and 2021 when they put up cash to handle what they were falsely told were their grandchildren’s legal problems.
The scam operated out of call centers in the Dominican Republic. Conspirators would contact elderly people, posing as their grandchildren or people associated with the legal system.
The posers would tell the victims that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed cash for bail or other expenses.
“Once victims were convinced through lies and falsehoods, co-conspirators instructed the victims to provide cash to couriers, including Valdez, who went to victims’ homes to pick up the money,” the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey said in a statement.
“The alleged perpetrators in these scams – including this defendant – target our vulnerable senior population,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
“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,” he continued.
“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.”
Valdez was arrested Tuesday and charged with wire fraud conspiracy, the U.S. attorney said.
He pleaded not guilty, according to court documents.
“Mr. Valdez knowingly preyed upon the elderly for his own gain,” Social Security Administration Inspector General Gail S. Ennis said in the statement.
“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, Valdez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Valdez wasn’t reachable and his attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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