Sixteen Individuals Charged in “Grandparent Scam” Scheme that Defrauded Hundreds of Elderly Americans

On April 29, 2023, the Department of Justice and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the indictment of sixteen individuals, including eleven men from the Dominican Republic, in a widespread “grandparent scam” scheme that defrauded millions of dollars from elderly Americans.

Indictment and Charges

The indictment, unsealed in the federal court of Newark, accuses the defendants of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, money laundering, and other related crimes. The defendants allegedly used call centers in the Dominican Republic to target elderly victims in the United States.

• Defendants from the Dominican Republic:
  • Juan Rafael Parra Arias aka Yofre (41)
  • 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 (37)
  • Carlos Javier Estevez (45)
  • Louis Junior Rodriguez Serrano aka Junior (27)
  • Miguel Angel Vasquez aka Miguel Disla (24)
  • Jovanni Antonio Rosario Garcia aka Porky, aka Chop (45)
  • Jose Ismael Dilone Rodriguez (34)
• Additional Charged Individuals:
  • Endy Jose Torres Moran (21), Ivan Alexander Inoa Suero (32), Jhonny Cepeda (27), Ramon Hurtado (43) from New York
  • Yuleisy Roque (21) from the Bronx

Four of the defendants, including Juan Rafael Parra Arias, Guzman, Ventura, and Rodriguez, are currently in custody.

Victim Targeting and Techniques

The defendants targeted elderly individuals by impersonating their grandchildren or other family members in distress. They even used technology to mimic calls from inside the United States. The victims were told their loved ones were in dire situations, such as being arrested or involved in a car accident, and convinced to send money to help.

1. Initial Contact The initial contact was made by individuals at the call centers, referred to as “closers.” These individuals impersonated law enforcement or legal personnel to convince the victims to provide thousands of dollars in cash or send money through the mail.

2. Couriers Couriers, recruited and managed by the call center workers, collected the cash from victims’ homes or received it through the mail.

Penalties and Collaboration

Each of the charges in the indictment and complaint carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Additionally, some charges carry a potential fine of up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for organizations.

Darren B. McCormack, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI New York, stated, “Today’s announcement is a result of the defendants’ alleged exploitation of elderly victims and the diversion of their hard-earned savings. Our partners and I are committed to working together to ensure that those who utilize transnational criminal organizations to prey on American citizens are held accountable for their actions, regardless of where they reside or hide.”

This investigation involved collaborative efforts from:

• HSI New York’s El Dorado Task Force Cyber Intrusion Group
• U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey
• NYPD
• FBI
• Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General
• HSI Santo Domingo

Collaborative efforts from law enforcement agencies and organizations are essential to address and prevent such scams against vulnerable populations.