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Two New York men were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a multi-state tech support scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $11 million. Jayesh Panchal (78 months) and Vijaya Shetty (63 months) convinced seniors their bank accounts were compromised, then coerced them to withdraw cash and hand it over to fake federal agents; one Michigan victim alone lost $398,000. Both defendants were ordered to pay substantial restitution and the case underscores the widespread threat of elder fraud targeting vulnerable seniors.

This educational article identifies area codes commonly associated with phone scams targeting New York State residents, noting that approximately 60 million Americans reported phone scams in 2021. The article explains that scammers often use VoIP technology and call spoofing to disguise their true location and identity, and provides a list of nine international area codes (primarily from Caribbean and African nations) and nine U.S. area codes to avoid answering. The article recommends screening unknown calls and performing quick Google searches on unfamiliar numbers to verify legitimacy.

Two New York City women pleaded guilty to participating in a credit union fraud conspiracy that operated since at least December 2021, exploiting the shared branching network by using fake IDs to make fraudulent withdrawals totaling nearly $500,000 across the United States. Lesley Lucchese and Danielle Cappetti, who acted as runners conducting the fraudulent transactions in exchange for drugs or small cash payments, face up to 30 years in prison, with five defendants total having pleaded guilty and three others remaining charged in the scheme that resulted in over $1 million in total losses.

Two New York residents were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a large-scale tech support scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $11 million across multiple states. Jayesh J. Panchal (78 months) and Vijaya C. Shetty (63 months) worked with India-based scammers who used fake computer virus warnings to trick seniors into sending money via wire transfers, gift cards, and in-person meetings; one Michigan victim alone lost $398,000 after being deceived into believing she was protecting her accounts with federal agents. Both defendants were ordered to pay substantial restitution to their victims.

This article describes a firearms trafficking case, not elder fraud. A father and son from Niagara Falls, New York—Dustin McCarthy, Sr. (43) and Dayzon McCarthy (21)—were arrested for illegally selling firearms including pistols and a 3D-printed machine gun between June and August 2024. The arrests followed investigations by the ATF and Niagara County Sheriff's Office, with Dustin facing up to 15 years in prison and Dayzon facing up to 25 years if convicted. *Note: This content does not relate to elder fraud or abuse and would not be appropriate for the Elderus database.*

A father-daughter duo from Ulster County, New York—Frank Whittaker and Christine Ellsworth—were arrested for stealing over $250,000 from a 92-year-old elderly woman between 2021 and the time of their arrest. After gaining the victim's trust through help with household tasks, Whittaker obtained Power of Attorney and used it to drain the woman's accounts through checks and illegal bank transfers, spending the stolen money on vehicles, jewelry, restaurants, and casinos. Both face charges of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, with potential sentences of up to 15 years if convicted.

Multiple victims in Westchester, New York lost substantial funds in investment scams, including cryptocurrency Ponzi schemes and stock market manipulation frauds that promised high returns. Natisa Securities LLC, a recovery firm based in Westchester, assists defrauded investors by employing financial advisors, legal experts, and investigators to recover lost funds and navigate complex fraud cases through legal procedures and international networks.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as their "Fraud of the Month for August," highlighting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion nationally per year. The organization provided guidance for seniors to protect themselves, including: verifying unsolicited callers before sharing personal information, reporting lost or stolen Medicare cards immediately, treating Medicare cards like credit cards, and reviewing statements regularly for suspicious activity. Seniors can report suspected fraud or compromised information to the New York Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.

90-year-old Ray Cortez of Brooklyn fell victim to deed theft in 2006 when he was tricked into signing over his home's deed to a con man in exchange for renovation funds; the fraudster obtained a $700,000 line of credit against the property, which was subsequently foreclosed and sold for $2 million, leaving Cortez fighting eviction from his $3 million home that he purchased in 1969. His attorney notes this type of real estate fraud is widespread in gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhoods, particularly in communities of color, with the scam's complexity intentionally designed to confuse victims. The New York Attorney General's office is reviewing Cortez's case

A 90-year-old Brooklyn homeowner, Ray Cortez, faced eviction after a 2006 deed theft scam in which a conman convinced him to sign over his home's deed, then took out a $700,000 line of credit against the property before it was sold at foreclosure for $2 million—fraud Cortez did not discover until a decade later. His eviction proceedings have been temporarily paused until September 9, with the New York Attorney General's office reviewing the case as part of investigating a pattern of real estate fraud targeting communities of color in Brooklyn and Queens. Cortez's $3 million home, purchased in 1969, remains at the

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It describes a novelty Airbnb accommodation in Buffalo, New York with 2D artwork, and contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or financial exploitation. This appears to be travel/lifestyle content that does not match the database's focus on elder fraud research.

Hector Claveria, 51, of Queens, New York, pleaded guilty to international money laundering after acting as a money mule for elder fraud and computer fraud schemes in 2020. He collected cash proceeds from these schemes and wired $20,000 to a foreign bank account in June 2020, knowing the funds originated from fraudulent activities that deceived elderly victims into sending payments based on false claims of debt to government agencies or computer service companies. Claveria faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, with sentencing scheduled for December 19, 2024.

Three Dominican Republic nationals were extradited to the U.S. and charged in a multi-state "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly victims across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts out of millions of dollars. The defendants operated call centers that impersonated family members claiming relatives needed bail money for vehicle accidents, with scammers posing as attorneys and police to pressure victims into sending thousands of dollars via courier or mail. The three men face charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering as part of an 11-person indictment involving a long-running operation targeting vulnerable seniors.

A Cape Cod resident fell victim to a business email compromise scam in November 2023 that resulted in a $100,000 fraudulent payment redirect. Khaseem Allah, 25, from Albany, New York, was arrested in July 2024 and charged with larceny over $1,200 after investigators traced the unauthorized transaction to a New York bank account under his control. Allah was arraigned and held on $50,000 bail with GPS monitoring conditions.

**Police Impersonation Scam - Central New York** Scammers are impersonating Oneida County Sheriff's deputies and calling residents claiming they have outstanding court proceedings and demanding payment, threatening arrest if victims don't comply. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office warns residents never to provide personal information (SSN, birthday, bank details, etc.) over the phone to unidentified callers and advises hanging up and calling the Sheriff's Office directly to verify any such claims.

A 25-year-old New York man was charged with larceny after allegedly stealing $100,000 from an Osterville resident through a business email compromise scam in November. Khaseem Allah of Albany redirected a $100,000 payment intended for a legitimate business transaction to an unauthorized account after the victim received a fraudulent email from a compromised business account. The theft was traced to a New York bank account through a joint investigation by Barnstable Police and the U.S. Secret Service, leading to Allah's arrest and arraignment with $50,000 bail.

This is an educational article about fraud vulnerability and evolving scam tactics. The author recounts her personal experience being scammed out of a $2,000 apartment deposit on Craigslist in New York City, which she eventually recovered, and notes that the perpetrator later escalated to defrauding multiple victims of thousands of dollars before being imprisoned. The piece emphasizes that anyone—including young people, journalists, and financial experts—can fall victim to scams, and warns that artificial intelligence is enabling increasingly sophisticated fraud methods, including voice cloning and deepfake video technology, citing examples such as a finance worker being defrauded of $25 million through AI-manipulated video conferencing

In 2023, real estate scams cost Americans $12.5 billion, with over 521,000 complaints filed; New York had 537 victims losing an average of $10,579 each ($5.68 million total), while a Dominican Republic businessman scammed 24 New Yorkers by listing non-existent homes or selling the same properties to multiple buyers. Cybercriminals are also targeting real estate agents through phishing and hacking to steal client information and identify potential victims. Authorities advise extreme caution when purchasing property sight unseen, especially internationally, and recommend working only with verified legitimate brokers.

An 80-year-old Medina County woman was scammed out of over $100,000 after being contacted by someone claiming she had won $8 million from Publisher's Clearing House and instructed to send money for taxes. Thanks to coordinated efforts by the Medina County Scam Squad, FBI, U.S. Postal Service, and local police, the package containing two cashier's checks was intercepted en route to New York City and the victim's money was recovered; defendant Raldane A. Cunningham was charged with two counts of telecommunication fraud and ordered to post a $50,000 bond. The Medina County Scam Squad adv

Juan Carlos Arcena Cabrera, a New York resident, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison for defrauding a Kentucky senior of $59,000 through a "grandparent scam" in which he posed as the victim's grandson claiming an emergency need for money. Cabrera, who pleaded guilty to targeting multiple victims over years, coordinated with others to fabricate scenarios such as car accidents or legal troubles, then repeatedly contacted victims impersonating attorneys and professionals to extract additional funds. The case is part of a national trend of grandparent scams that the U.S. Justice Department has prioritized, with some scammers using voice-cloning technology to increase authent

A new warning has been issued about immigration scams targeting migrants in New York City, with reports spiking according to community agencies running a free immigration hotline. The scams include fraudsters offering to expedite court proceedings for payment, providing fake shelter assistance, and spoofing government phone numbers to deceive vulnerable immigrants.

New York State Police warned of a scam in which fraudsters impersonated police officers and called Cortland County residents demanding money via phone to prevent arrests, claiming victims had outstanding warrants or drugs in packages addressed to them. The scammers used spoofed phone numbers and requested payment through wire transfers or gift cards. Police reminded the public that legitimate law enforcement never solicits money over the phone and urged residents to contact local authorities if they suspect such scams.

A 35-year-old New York man pleaded guilty to mistreating an elder person after defrauding a 78-year-old Wichita woman out of more than $100,000 in a romance scam, where he posed as someone named Victor seeking financial help. Jango Touray was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay full restitution, with a 34-month prison sentence imposed if he violates probation or fails to pay. Romance scams typically begin with social media friend requests or emails from attractive strangers claiming financial difficulties, and are difficult to prosecute and recover funds from because scammers operate across state lines and launder money through multiple accounts

New York State Police issued a fraud alert warning older residents about a scam in which perpetrators convince victims to withdraw money from their bank accounts for the scammers to pick up. The scam has generated multiple complaints from seniors, and police emphasized that anyone contacted by phone or computer with such requests should immediately call 911 and never withdraw or surrender funds. Scams targeting New Yorkers cost the state over $10 million last year, with other common schemes against seniors including romance, investment, and "grandparents" scams.

Following a global tech outage, scammers exploited the disruption by sending fraudulent emails, texts, and robocalls requesting personal information such as passwords, account numbers, and social security numbers. Security experts warned the public to be vigilant against spoofed caller IDs and phishing attempts, noting that Americans lost $2.7 billion to imposter scams in 2023 and fraud is projected to worsen in 2024. Recommended precautions include hanging up on suspicious calls, calling back official numbers from statements or cards, and never surrendering card information to unsolicited callers.

A 35-year-old New York man pleaded guilty to mistreatment of an elder person after defrauding a 78-year-old widowed Wichita woman of over $110,000 in a romance scam conducted through social media. Jango Touray posed as "Victor" and convinced the victim he needed financial assistance, leading her to send the money; he received a three-year probation sentence with a requirement to pay full restitution, though only $38,000 of the $110,000 has been recovered so far. The District Attorney's office warns elderly residents, particularly those living alone, to be suspicious of requests for money from online contacts.

An 82-year-old Montgomery County, Maryland woman lost $900,000 in a gold bar scam after scammers posing as federal agents convinced her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping" following a fake computer security alert. Zhenyong Weng, 19, of New York City was arrested and charged with attempted theft; prosecutors indicate at least 17 victims in Montgomery County have lost millions of dollars in similar schemes, and recovery of the gold is unlikely due to its untraceable nature.

Telehealth fraud, identified as the New York StateWide Senior Action Council's Medicare Fraud of the Month for July 2024, typically involves telemarketers obtaining seniors' Medicare information, paying providers to sign unnecessary orders without proper patient interaction, and submitting false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for durable medical equipment, lab services, or pharmaceuticals. The Council advises seniors to schedule telehealth appointments directly with their providers, guard their Medicare cards, reject unsolicited offers for free services, and review billing statements for suspicious charges, with Medicare fraud estimated to cost taxpayers over $60 billion nationally per year.

Fiona Lorraine Walters, 50, of New York pleaded guilty to money laundering for her role in a lottery scam conspiracy that defrauded elderly victims of over $300,000 between 2016 and 2020. Walters and co-conspirators convinced victims they had won lotteries or sweepstakes and laundered the fraudulently obtained money through bank accounts, never paying any winnings. She faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing scheduled for September 23, 2024.

Since March 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has received thousands of complaints about smishing texts impersonating road toll collection services across multiple states, including New York. The fraudulent texts claim recipients owe unpaid tolls and direct them to fake websites designed to steal personal information or financial details. The FBI recommends recipients verify toll accounts through official channels, file complaints at ic3.gov, and secure their accounts if they clicked malicious links or shared information.

This article concerns a violent crime, not elder fraud or abuse. A person of interest was taken into custody in connection with an attempted sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman in Central Park on June 24; DNA evidence linked him to the incident, though he had not been charged at the time of reporting. This incident falls outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on fraud, scams, and elder abuse targeting older adults.

Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for helping operate a "grandparent scam" between 2020 and 2021, in which call center operators in the Dominican Republic posed as grandchildren, lawyers, or court officials to convince elderly victims they needed bail money, with Valdez collecting the cash from victims' homes. The scheme defrauded grandparents of tens of thousands of dollars, and Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case highlights a broader trend: elder fraud reports to the FBI increased 14% last year, with victims aged 60+ losing over $3.

Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for conspiring with Dominican Republic call center operators between 2020 and 2021 to defraud grandparents by impersonating their grandchildren, lawyers, and court officials claiming bail money was needed. Valdez collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims by picking up cash from their homes after the scammers convinced them to withdraw money, and he faces up to 20 years in prison. The case highlights a broader trend in elder fraud, with reports to the FBI increasing 14% annually and scams targeting seniors 60+ causing over $3.4 billion in losses.

Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for helping operate a grandparent scam between 2020 and 2021, in which call center operators in the Dominican Republic impersonated grandchildren, lawyers, and court officials to convince senior victims they needed bail money, with Valdez collecting the cash from their homes. The scheme defrauded grandparents of tens of thousands of dollars, and Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the FBI reports that scams targeting people over 60 caused over $3.4 billion in losses last year.

Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with conspiracy to defraud seniors through a "grandparent scam" in which call center operators in the Dominican Republic impersonated grandchildren claiming to need bail money between 2020 and 2021, with Valdez collecting the cash from victims' homes. The scheme resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in losses, and Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The case reflects a broader trend: elder fraud reports to the FBI increased 14% annually, with seniors losing over $3.4 billion to scams, many of which go unreported.

A 39-year-old Bronx man, Victor Anthony Valdez, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role as a courier in an international "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly residents of New York and New Jersey of tens of thousands of dollars between August 2020 and 2021. Scammers operating from call centers in the Dominican Republic posed as grandchildren or legal officials, convincing elderly victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez to collect cash from victims' homes. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Four people were arrested in Oswego County, New York in June 2024 for attempting to defraud senior citizens through phone scams that would have resulted in $78,000 in losses. In the first incident, a 75-year-old woman received a call claiming she was accused of a crime and needed to pay money; she became suspicious and alerted police, who arrested two suspects from Ontario, Canada at her home. A week later, two Brooklyn residents were arrested after attempting to convince a 72-year-old man that his Cash App account was hacked and he needed to withdraw $38,000, but the victim contacted police before handing over the money.

An 87-year-old woman in New York was scammed out of $16,900 in a bail bond scheme on Wednesday, when an impostor posing as an attorney claimed her grandson had been arrested for DUI and needed bail money. The suspect met the victim near Fifth Avenue and East 11th Street to collect the cash before fleeing on foot; the victim was unharmed and police are seeking a light-complexioned male suspect, approximately 6 feet tall and 230 lbs, last seen wearing a green baseball hat and white t-shirt.

Nelson Counne was sentenced to four to eight years in state prison for perpetrating romance scams that defrauded at least five women of $1.8 million over three decades. Counne used fake personas (posing as a wealthy retired art dealer and investor with international properties) to charm victims through upscale restaurants and dating apps, then convinced them to lend him money for fraudulent investment opportunities, which he used to repay earlier victims and attract new ones. The scam scheme operated since at least 1992 and involved false claims about his wealth, travel, and business dealings, all of which were fabricated.

Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly Americans by impersonating their grandchildren, attorneys, or court officials to convince victims their grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for serving as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" targeting elderly Americans. Between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez allegedly collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New York and New Jersey after call center operatives convinced seniors that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud for acting as a courier in a "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that targeted elderly Americans between 2020 and 2021. Scammers called elderly victims impersonating grandchildren requesting emergency cash for bail or expenses, and Valdez collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New Jersey and New York. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued guidance on avoiding online "romance scams" (also called "pig butchering"), which use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before directing them to fraudulent investment schemes. Scammers typically spend considerable time building relationships, then move conversations to encrypted platforms and lure victims into cryptocurrency or foreign currency investments, resulting in losses ranging from thousands to over a million dollars. The advisory recommends New Yorkers avoid wiring money or sending cryptocurrency to unknown individuals, verify sender identities, and report suspected scams to law enforcement.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James warns that online "romance scams" (also called "pig butchering") are increasingly common, with fraudsters using dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before directing them toward fraudulent investments in cryptocurrency or foreign currencies. The scammers spend substantial time cultivating relationships and using fake credentials, screenshots of inflated account balances, and fabricated luxury lifestyle photos to appear as successful investment experts, eventually cutting off contact after victims deposit tens of thousands to over a million dollars. James advises New Yorkers to avoid wiring money or sending cryptocurrency to unknown individuals, research senders' information, be suspicious of online romantic interests, an

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme involved scammers posing as grandchildren, attorneys, or court personnel to convince elderly American victims that their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an international "grandparent scam" that operated from Dominican Republic call centers and targeted elderly residents in New Jersey and New York between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers impersonated grandchildren, their attorneys, or court officials to convince victims that their grandchildren needed bail money and legal fees, with Valdez serving as a courier to collect tens of thousands of dollars from the victims. The case highlights the ongoing threat of grandparent scams targeting elderly Americans, with the public encouraged to report suspected elder fraud to the FTC.

**Summary:** Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" that targeted elderly Americans between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers from call centers in the Dominican Republic impersonated victims' grandchildren or legal representatives, claiming the grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez and other couriers to collect tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Two women—Rosanna Lisa Stanley (48, Florida) and Gina Guy (37, New York)—were arrested and charged with defrauding at least 16 elderly victims of over $7 million through romance scams spanning from 2009 to 2024. The defendants gained victims' trust through in-person meetings and online dating platforms, then convinced them to transfer money under false pretenses (fake businesses, organ transplants), which they laundered through shell company accounts and spent on luxury items including vehicles, jewelry, and a boat. Both face charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, each

Gina Guy was charged with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with romance scams targeting elderly victims in the Southern District of New York. She was released on June 25 on her own signature with a $250,000 bond, pending the addition of a financially-responsible co-signer within one week.

A new study reveals phishing attacks have surged nationwide and in New York specifically, with upstate New York experiencing a 140% increase in reports last year. These scams, which use email, text messages, and voicemail to trick victims into revealing personal information, are becoming more sophisticated through artificial intelligence technology, with an average loss of $300 per victim. The Better Business Bureau advises against clicking unexpected links or entering personal information, and warns that compromised data can lead to unauthorized bank account access.