NEWARK, N.J. – A 39-year-old man from the Bronx is facing federal charges for his alleged role as a courier in a heartless transnational scam preying on vulnerable elderly Americans. Victor Anthony Valdez has been indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy, stemming from a scheme orchestrated from call centers in the Dominican Republic.
The operation, as detailed in the indictment unsealed today, involved con artists posing as grandchildren, lawyers, or court officials, falsely claiming the victim’s grandchild was arrested and desperately needed funds for bail or legal fees. Once the victims were manipulated into believing the lie, they were instructed to hand over cash to couriers like Valdez, who then physically collected the money from their homes in New York and New Jersey. Between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez is accused of retrieving – or attempting to retrieve – tens of thousands of dollars from defrauded victims.
“The alleged perpetrators in these scams – including this defendant – target our vulnerable senior population,” declared 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. 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.”
Federal authorities are making it clear they are cracking down on these schemes. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, stated, “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. 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.”
The Social Security Administration is also involved, with Inspector General Gail S. Ennis emphasizing the impact on those relying on crucial benefits. “Mr. Valdez knowingly preyed upon the elderly for his own gain,” Ennis 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, Valdez faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The investigation was a joint effort by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Silane and Trial Attorney Joshua Ferrentino. Victims of elder fraud can seek support and report incidents through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). Reporting is crucial to identify perpetrators and potentially recover lost funds.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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