5 million stolen, 9 arrested in international elder fraud scheme, officials say

Nine individuals were arrested Tuesday for their involvement in a fraudulent scheme that stole over $5 million from more than 400 elderly victims across multiple states. The suspects posed as distressed family members, primarily targeting individuals in Massachusetts, Florida, California, Maryland, and New York. The FBI's Boston Field Office noted the emotional toll on victims, many of whom were manipulated into sending money out of love for their relatives. The scheme operated from the Dominican Republic, utilizing bilingual callers to enhance credibility and employing detailed scripts that sometimes included names obtained from the dark web. Law enforcement identified Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, 33, as the alleged ringleader among the suspects in custody, while four others remain at-large.

Officials are collaborating with their Dominican counterparts to seize assets tied to the fraud, with a belief that more victims exist than the reported 400. Authorities encouraged individuals who suspect they may have been scammed to report their experiences. U. S. Attorney Leah Foley emphasized the need for education to protect the elderly from such schemes.