Three residents of Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, were extradited to the United States last week and made their initial appearance in Newark federal court yesterday on charges relating to their participation in a sprawling “grandparent scam” that defrauded elderly Americans out of millions of dollars.
Juan Rafael Parra Arias, also known as Yofre, 41; Miguel Angel Vasquez, also known as Miguel Disla, 24; and Jose Ismael Dilone Rodriguez, 34, are among 11 Dominican nationals charged in a 19-count indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and unsealed on April 29. Following their initial appearance yesterday, the court ordered the three men detained pending trial. The extradition of Parra Arias, Vasquez and Dilone Rodriguez follows that of their co-conspirators Rafael Ambiorix Rodriguez Guzman, also known as Max Morgan, 59, and Felix Samuel Reynoso Ventura, also known as Fili and Filly the Kid, 37, who appeared in Newark federal court on July 22 to answer the indictment.
According to the indictment, Parra Arias, Vasquez, Dilone Rodriguez and their co-conspirators engaged in a long-running “grandparent” or “family in need of bail” scam against hundreds of seniors across the United States, including in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Parra Arias is alleged to have led a network of call centers in Santiago while Vasquez and Dilone Rodriguez worked in these centers to recruit co-conspirators in the United States.
As detailed in court filings, members of the conspiracy referred to as “openers” called elderly victims in the United States and impersonated the victims’ children or grandchildren. The call centers used technology to make it appear that the calls were coming from inside the United States. Typically, victims were told that their grandchild had been in a car accident or was arrested and needed help.
Once openers tricked victims into believing their loved ones were in dire trouble, others working at the call centers known as “closers” allegedly impersonated defense attorneys or police officers and convinced victims to provide thousands of dollars in cash. The cash was typically retrieved by couriers — including those recruited by Parra Arias, Vasquez and Dilone Rodriguez — from victims’ homes or mailed by victims at the direction of closers.
“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue criminals who defraud victims through so-called ‘grandparent scams,’” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton. “We will continue to identify perpetrators of these schemes and prioritize the pursuit of those who deliberately target vulnerable Americans from abroad.”
“As alleged,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey,“these three defendants played a role in a scheme that relied on love and devotion to cheat elderly victims out of millions.” He added that his office is committed to protecting all victims' rights.
“These defendants are accused of heartlessly robbing countless elderly victims,” said Special Agent Ivan J. Arvelo of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York.“The merciless greed is boundless but no match for HSI New York’s El Dorado Task Force.”
“The grandparent scam is a cruel fraud scheme,” said Acting Special Agent Bradley Parker from SSA-OIG Boston New York Field Division.“SSA-OIG proudly joined HSI and other agencies investigating these complex scams.”
“We are now one step closer to holding accountable alleged fraudsters,” said Commissioner Edward A. Caban from NYPD.“This should serve as a reminder about our extensive reach.”
Parra Arias, Vasquez and Dilone Rodriguez each face multiple charges including mail fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy with potential penalties up to 20 years per count.
HSI, SSA-OIG NYPD and FBI are investigating with significant assistance from Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs securing arrests/extraditions supported by U.S Marshals Service.
Trial Attorneys Jason Feldman Joshua Ferrentino Emily Powers Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch Assistant U.S Attorney Carolyn Silane District Jersey prosecuting case.
If you or someone you know is age 60+ experiencing financial fraud contact National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m ET English Spanish other languages available.
More information department efforts helping American seniors available Elder Justice Initiative webpage Consumer Protection Branch enforcement efforts www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch Elder fraud complaints filed FTC www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/877-FTC-HELP Justice Department resources elder fraud victimization Office Victims Crime www.ovc.gov
An indictment is merely an allegation All defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt court law