BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Over a dozen people were charged in what federal officials called a “cruel and malicious” fraud scheme known as the “grandparent scam” that was allegedly based out of a Dominican Republic call center.
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley said at Tuesday’s news briefing in Boston’s federal court that the goal of the scam was for older adults to hand over their life savings.
“They succeeded in stealing millions,” Foley said.
The investigation totaled more than $5 million in losses and over 400 victims, including at least 50 in Massachusetts, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office press release.
Foley said victims received calls from the scammers, or “openers,” posing as grandchildren pretending to be in emergency situations that require financial assistance. Then, “closers,” people playing the role of lawyers, were the ones who requested the cash.
Even ride-share drivers unknowingly partook in the scheme, Foley said. These “runners” were used to collect and transport the money. Uber eventually caught on and flagged the scam to the FBI.
Foley said scammers continued to request more money from victims even after getting paid.
The average victim was 84 years old.
Foley said law enforcement will never demand money over the phone and urged citizens to establish a code or phrase to use with their family members to confirm someone’s identity.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Madison Rogers (@madisonWBZ) reports.