An illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic living in Paterson, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty in federal court after admitting to laundering money stolen from elderly Americans through a cruel and calculated “grandparent” fraud scheme, as reported by Townhall.
The case shines a harsh light on how criminals are exploiting both America’s generosity and its border failures to prey on the most vulnerable citizens.
Engels Guillermo Almengot Valerio, 26, entered his guilty plea before Senior U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer on May 4, 2026.
The plea marked the culmination of a federal investigation exposing a disturbing operation that specifically targeted senior citizens across the country, manipulating them into handing over their life savings under false pretenses.
According to court documents, Valerio was part of an elaborate scheme that originated from the Dominican Republic.
Scammers called elderly Americans, impersonating grandchildren or relatives in distress — claiming they had been in a car accident or arrested — and begged for money to cover legal fees or bail.
The call would then be handed off to someone pretending to be an attorney or bail bondsman, sealing the illusion.
Hellbound and Down 