A Dominican national has pleaded guilty to participating in a fraudulent scheme that exploited vulnerable individuals by impersonating family members. Elvys Nicanor Nunez Valerio, 33, entered his plea in federal court on September 14, facing charges of money laundering, as reported by the Department of Justice.
Details of the Scheme
According to prosecutors, Valerio was involved in a scheme where criminals pretended to be an elderly person’s grandchild or relative to extract money. In a specific instance in July 2025, scammers targeted a senior resident from Western Pennsylvania, who was tricked into sending $10,000 and subsequently instructed to pay an additional $12,000 to supposedly secure his daughter’s release from jail.
The funds from the victim were reportedly transported by an unsuspecting rideshare driver and subsequently laundered before being sent to the Dominican Republic. Pennsylvania State Police intercepted the rideshare driver carrying the second payment package, which led them to Valerio. A vehicle search revealed the victim’s original payment.
Financial records linked to Valerio showed he was part of the criminal conspiracy, with over 40 cash deposits totaling more than $65,000 made between January and July 2025. These records indicated he not only paid other co-conspirators but also transferred money to the Dominican Republic.
Valerio has been living in the United States illegally and was residing in New Jersey. He is scheduled for sentencing on December 1 and could face a maximum of 20 years in prison alongside potential fines reaching $500,000.
Earlier this month, two of Valerio’s co-conspirators, Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez and Engels Guillermo Almengot Valerio, were sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for their roles in the money laundering operation.
Why It Matters
This case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding financial scams targeting the elderly, particularly those exploiting familial connections to gain victims’ trust. The legal proceedings aim to address these fraudulent activities and send a message about the consequences of such criminal behavior.
