By: Najla Alexander
NJ officials announced that a New York man who previously worked as a claims specialist with the U.S. Social Security Administration admitted yesterday to acting as a courier for a Dominican Republic-based “grandparent scam” that targeted elderly Americans.
Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with wire fraud conspiracy, officials stated.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, the scam operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic, making phone calls to elderly American victims purporting to be the victim’s grandchild, an attorney representing the grandchild in criminal proceedings, court personnel, or other persons associated with the legal system.
Conspirators told the victims that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed cash for bail or other expenses. Once victims were convinced through lies and falsehoods, coconspirators instructed the victims to provide cash to couriers, including Valdez, who went to victims’ homes to pick up the money, NJ authorities said.
NJ officials said that between August 2020 and August 2021, while acting as a courier for the scam, Valdez is alleged to have retrieved or attempted to retrieve tens of thousands of dollars from defrauded victims at their homes in New York and New Jersey.
“The defendant admitted to his role in a scam targeting vulnerable seniors,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.
“The defendant and his coconspirators took advantage of grandparents’ love and concern for their grandchildren they believed to be in trouble, convincing them to pay thousands of dollars. My office will continue to protect the rights of all victims, and we will relentlessly prosecute those who target and cheat vulnerable seniors.”
“Mr. Valdez intentionally conspired to defraud the elderly of their money and property through a cruel, international grandparent scam,” said Hannibal “Mike” Ware, Acting Inspector General for the Social Security Administration.
According to NJ authorities, Valdez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for April 9, 2025.