(Pittsburgh, PA) A resident of the Dominican Republic, Elvys Nicanor Nunez Valerio, aged 33, has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of money laundering conspiracy associated with a grandparent fraud scheme. The plea was made during a court session on Monday, as announced by United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Details of the Fraud Scheme
The court learned that Valerio was involved in a complex criminal operation originating from the Dominican Republic. The scheme targeted elderly individuals, impersonating their grandchildren or other close relatives, claiming to be in urgent need of financial help. Victims were directed to send money immediately under various pretenses.
To facilitate the transfer of funds, the scammers employed rideshare drivers to collect cash from victims and deliver it to members of the organized crime group. Valerio’s specific role involved receiving money from these rideshare drivers, laundering proceeds, and ultimately transferring the funds back to the Dominican Republic.
One notable incident occurred on July 12, 2025, when an elderly resident from the Western District of Pennsylvania was deceived into giving $10,000 to a rideshare driver who arrived at his home to collect the money. The victim’s family later contacted the authorities after learning about the scam. During ongoing communications, the scammer instructed the victim to send an additional $12,000 under the pretext of securing his daughter’s release from jail.
While the driver was unaware of the scheme, authorities initiated a traffic stop on the rideshare driver after monitoring the situation. The driver completed the delivery of a second package, which did not contain any funds. Upon stopping Valerio before he could leave, law enforcement recovered both the second package and the proceeds related to the initial fraud.
Further investigations revealed Valerio’s extensive involvement in the larger conspiracy, including travel across various states to execute these frauds. Financial records indicated a bank account linked to Valerio, showing over 40 cash deposits totaling more than $65,000 from January to July of 2025, further confirming his activities in the scheme.
Valerio’s sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2026. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, as well as potential fines up to $500,000.
Why It Matters This case highlights the increasing frequency of elder fraud schemes and the complexities involved in organized crime operations exploiting vulnerable populations. Legal actions against individuals like Valerio aim to deter these criminal activities and protect potential victims in the future.
