3 Charged for Bilking Thousands from Seniors in ‘Grandparent Scam’

Three men are facing charges after allegedly taking money from elderly people in Rhode Island in what is referred to as a “Grandparent Scam.”
21-year-old Bryan Valdez-Espinosa and 22-year-old Diego A. Alarcon reside in Union City, N.J. They were reportedly working together with Jason Hatcher, 39, from New York City in a scheme to defraud several people who have grandchildren.
It was reported that between June 9 and June 11, the trio reached out to at least 11 people in different areas of Rhode Island. The men allegedly asked them to provide money to help their grandchildren with legal troubles.
When speaking to the alleged victims, the men reportedly told them that their grandchild was in a car accident or was arrested for serious criminal charges and needed money for help. The suspects reportedly identified themselves as lawyers, and, on occasion, pretended to be the grandchildren themselves.
In some cases, before the money was picked up, the alleged victims were told that the bail and charges had been raised and would cost additional money.
The men reportedly instructed the alleged victims that didn’t arrange a face-to-face exchange to mail the requested funds to an address in Florida or wire them directly to an account in the Dominican Republic.
Among the 11 alleged victims that the authorities have tracked down, it is purported that $6,000 to $99,225 was taken from each person targeted in the scam.
Valdez-Espinoza was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigation agents last week. He is being charged for suspicion of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was later released on an unsecured bond.
Alarcon and Hatcher, who are facing charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, are currently wanted on federal warrants.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.