Granny Hustle: $5M Scam Lands Dominican in US

⏱ 3 min read

Gerardo Heriberto Nuñez Nuñez, 42, a Dominican national, is locked up in Boston today, facing charges he was a key cog in a ruthless scheme that drained over $5 million from hundreds of vulnerable seniors. The operation, a classic “grandparent scam,” targeted Americans averaging 84 years old, leaving many financially ruined. The feds say Nuñez Nuñez acted as the money man, washing the stolen cash through shell companies. He was extradited from the Dominican Republic after his arrest in August 2025.

Here’s how it worked: Callers, posing as panicked grandchildren, would spin tales of accidents or legal trouble. A second voice, playing a lawyer, would demand immediate cash for “fees.” Victims, panicked and believing their grandkids were in dire straits, handed over their savings to couriers operating across the US. At least 50 Massachusetts residents were hit, but the reach stretched far beyond, affecting over 400 people in total.

Nuñez Nuñez allegedly provided access to bank accounts registered to phony companies, a crucial step in concealing the source of the funds. Once the money was deposited, it was funneled back to the Dominican Republic. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2024 on a single count of money laundering conspiracy and remains detained while awaiting trial.

Investigators believe this wasn’t a one-off, but a sophisticated, organized operation preying on the most vulnerable among us. This case underscores the brutal reality of elder fraud and the lengths criminals will go to exploit trust and desperation.