⏱ 2 min read
Engels Guillermo Almengot Valerio, a 26-year-old Dominican Republic man, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in a grandparent fraud scheme that targeted elderly individuals across the US, including in Western Pennsylvania. The scheme, which involved impersonating victims’ grandchildren or relatives, took place from an unknown date until Valerio’s guilty plea on May 4, 2026. Valerio, who was living in Paterson, New Jersey, collected and laundered the fraud proceeds, using various bank accounts and unwitting rideshare drivers to pick up cash from the victims.
The scammers would call elderly individuals, claiming to be their grandchildren or other relatives in crisis, and ask for immediate financial assistance. They would then hand the phone over to someone posing as a lawyer or bail bondsman, seeking payment. The victims, located throughout the US, would give cash to rideshare drivers, who would then meet with a member of the conspiracy and hand over the stolen money.
Valerio’s role in the scheme involved ordering the rides that picked up the cash, collecting the fraud proceeds from the drivers, and laundering the money through various bank accounts. A search of his New Jersey residence uncovered $12,000 in cash and further evidence of his participation in the conspiracy. Valerio operated not just in Pennsylvania, but also in New York, California, and Nevada.
Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer scheduled sentencing for September 8, 2026. Valerio faces up to 20 years in prison for his role in the grandparent fraud scheme. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and awareness in preventing such scams, which often target vulnerable elderly individuals.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Pennsylvania
- Location: PA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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