BOSTON (WWLP) – Thirteen individuals have been charged in connection with a transnational elder fraud scheme that allegedly involved a call center operation in the Dominican Republic, resulting in over $5 million in losses for over 400 seniors across the United States.
A news conference was held on Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Boston with Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley and FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks. They announced the charges against 13 individuals in connection with tricking elderly victims into believing their family members needed money.
Springfield business owner charged in connection with $7M Ponzi scheme
An investigation revealed that a call center operation, based in the Dominican Republic, involved over 400 victims with an average age of 84, including at least 50 in Massachusetts, and more than $5 million in losses.
The charging documents allege that Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia of the Dominican Republic ran the call center operation where he employed co-conspirators who spoke English and carried out what are commonly known as “grandparent scams” to victims in the United States. The illicit proceeds would then be laundered back to the Dominican Republic.
How to avoid grandparent scams
22News has reported on this ongoing hoax before, which targets older adults by people posing as their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
How do you talk to your parents or grandparents about scams?
The perpetrator pretends to be a loved one in crisis, asking the grandparent to wire a large amount of money, buy gift cards, or send cash to help. The scheme utilizes personal information gathered from social media accounts, providing enough background information to make this hoax believable…