Federal investigators have charged 13 individuals in what authorities are calling a "cruel and malicious" grandparent scam that has siphoned millions of dollars from elderly Americans. The case, which spans multiple states and has roots in organized call centers in the Dominican Republic, came to light after Uber, whose drivers were unwittingly drawn into the scheme, flagged suspicious activity to the FBI. The announcement was made Tuesday at the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston by U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley, who described the operation as both ruthless and sophisticated.
The scam, which targeted some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens, preyed on the emotional bonds between grandparents and their grandchildren. According to Foley, the fraudsters would call elderly victims, often using advanced voice-cloning technology or simply skilled impersonation, and pose as a grandchild in distress. The "opener" would launch the call with alarming statements such as, “I’ve been in an accident,” or, “I need money to post bail.” Once the victim was sufficiently worried, a "closer"—posing as a lawyer—would take over, demanding large sums of cash to resolve the supposed emergency.
"Their goal was to trick our grandparents, parents, neighbors and friends into handing over their life savings under false pretenses. And they succeeded in stealing millions," Foley said, as reported by CBS News and other outlets. The average age of the nearly 400 known victims was 84 years old, and authorities believe the total losses surpassed $5 million. Many of the affected seniors resided in Massachusetts, but the scam’s reach was nationwide, with victims spread across the United States.
One of the more insidious aspects of the scheme was its use of rideshare drivers, particularly those working for Uber. The scammers, operating primarily out of call centers in the Dominican Republic allegedly led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, would direct victims to hand over cash to "runners." These runners would then use Uber to collect the money, often under the guise of transporting documents or providing a ride to the bank. In many cases, Uber drivers had no idea they were facilitating a crime. As Scott MacFarlane, a Justice correspondent for CBS News, explained, "They used rideshare drivers to transport runners… who go to grandma or grandpa’s house to collect the cash. The Uber drivers were unaware, but Uber saw some suspicious patterns… and they alerted authorities."
The scam’s sophistication was heightened by technology. According to federal investigators, the fraudsters sometimes employed artificial intelligence and voice-cloning software to mimic the voices of actual grandchildren, making the deception even more convincing. "It is easier to fall for than you think, according to federal investigators," MacFarlane noted. The urgency of the calls—pressuring victims to act quickly before they could think or consult family members—was a key tactic. "We need you to do this right now… before you have time to think," MacFarlane quoted investigators as saying, highlighting how speed and emotional manipulation were central tools for the criminals.
Uber’s role in uncovering the scam proved pivotal. The company’s Global Security team noticed irregularities in ride requests and proactively flagged the suspicious activity to the FBI. In a statement, Uber emphasized its commitment to safety and fraud prevention: "This case exemplifies how Uber uses anti-fraud technology to swiftly detect and proactively report suspicious activity to law enforcement. We commend the efforts of investigators who have worked diligently to bring these individuals to justice and help protect our communities. Uber takes fraud seriously and continues to invest in technology to help prevent, detect, and address it across our platform."
Following the investigation, Uber has also updated its driver training programs to better equip its workforce to recognize and report potential scams. Foley acknowledged Uber’s cooperation, stating that their actions were instrumental in triggering the federal probe and subsequent arrests. "I'm here to say that we have had enough of this. Preying on our elderly and the alleged conduct by these depraved individuals is ruthless and immoral," Foley declared at the press conference.
The investigation led to the indictment of 13 suspects on charges including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Nine individuals are currently in custody: Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, Joel Jose Cruz Rodriguez, Edward Jose Puello Garcia, Joan Manuel Mathilda Leon, Luis German Santos Burgos, Gerardo Heriberto Nuñez Nuñez, Andry Joel Baez Santana, Chaman Samael Silverio Balbuena, and Manuel Nicolas Rivera Cueto. Four suspects remain at large, with two believed to be in the Dominican Republic and two in the United States—Ransel St. Arlin Tavarez Jimenez and Joel Francisco Mathilda Leon of the Bronx, New York; Jose Osvaldo Polanco Batista of Winter Park, Florida; and Jose Arony Fermin Vasquez of New Jersey.
Despite the arrests, authorities warn that the investigation is ongoing and that there may be many more victims who have not yet come forward. Shame and embarrassment often deter seniors from reporting such crimes. "There are likely many more victims out there who don’t realize they were victimized," MacFarlane observed, echoing concerns from law enforcement. Victims are being encouraged to contact the Justice Department’s victim assistance hotline at 1-800-225-5324 or email [email protected] if they suspect they have fallen prey to a similar scam. The Justice Department’s website also offers resources to help prevent future incidents.
Unfortunately, Foley admitted that most victims will probably not recover their lost funds. The money, once handed over, was quickly laundered through various channels, often making it nearly impossible to trace or reclaim. This reality underscores the importance of education and vigilance. Authorities urge families to talk openly about such scams and to establish protocols for verifying emergency requests. If a loved one calls asking for money under urgent circumstances, experts recommend pausing, verifying the caller’s identity, and consulting another family member before taking action.
The grandparent scam isn’t new, but its scale and technological sophistication have grown alarmingly in recent years. The combination of emotional manipulation, advanced voice technology, and the exploitation of trusted services like Uber has made detection and prevention more challenging. Yet, as this case demonstrates, collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement can yield significant results.
For now, authorities are focused on bringing the remaining suspects to justice and spreading awareness to protect others from falling victim. The case stands as a stark reminder of the lengths to which criminals will go—and the vital role that vigilance, both personal and institutional, plays in safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.