Elvys Nicanor Nunez Valerio, a 33-year-old man from the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with a grandchild impersonation scam that targeted elderly individuals. The plea was entered on September 14 in federal court, as confirmed by the Department of Justice.
### Details of the Scheme
Prosecutors outlined that Valerio was part of a criminal scheme wherein individuals pretended to be the grandchild or relative of an elderly victim, soliciting financial assistance under false pretenses. In one specific incident in July 2025, a resident of Western Pennsylvania was scammed out of $10,000, with a subsequent demand for an additional $12,000 to allegedly release his daughter from confinement.
The scheme involved the funds being transferred through unsuspecting rideshare drivers, who unwittingly delivered the money. Pennsylvania State Police intervened during a traffic stop involving one of these drivers, leading to the same driver being followed to Valerio’s location. Upon searching Valerio’s vehicle, authorities reportedly discovered the original payment meant for the fraudulent transaction.
Further investigation revealed extensive financial activity associated with Valerio, including more than 40 cash deposits totaling over $65,000 from January to July 2025. Authorities stated that these records indicated his active participation in the scheme, involving payments to co-conspirators and remittances to the Dominican Republic.
Valerio is set to be sentenced on December 1, where he may face a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $500,000. Additionally, it has been reported that Valerio resided in the United States illegally in New Jersey at the time of his arrest.
Earlier this month, two of Valerio’s co-conspirators, Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez and Engels Guillermo Almengot Valerio, were also 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 issue of elder fraud schemes, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Such scams not only result in significant financial losses for victims but also contribute to emotional distress among families. The legal actions taken against Valerio and his co-conspirators signal a commitment to combating financial crimes targeting the elderly.
