$5M Grandparent Scam Busted by Uber
By Greg Collier
Federal prosecutors have charged 13 individuals in connection with what authorities describe as a large-scale “grandparent scam” operation that targeted elderly victims across the United States, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. According to investigators, the scheme operated primarily out of organized call centers in the Dominican Republic and relied on a network of people in the U.S. to collect and move the stolen funds.
The fraud typically began with a phone call to an elderly person from someone posing as a grandchild in distress. Victims were told stories involving accidents, arrests, or other emergencies requiring immediate cash. Once convinced, the targets were connected to another caller pretending to be a lawyer who demanded large sums of money for bail or legal fees. Funds were often picked up by “runners,” who in many cases were unsuspecting Uber drivers. The drivers were contacted with fabricated stories about transporting important documents or helping family members, without knowing they were being used in a criminal operation.
The use of Uber drivers in such scams has drawn increased attention, as drivers themselves have become secondary victims. In one tragic 2024 incident in Columbus, Ohio, a driver was killed by someone who had been targeted in a similar scheme. Uber’s security team ultimately identified suspicious activity and reported it to the FBI, leading to changes in driver training and fraud detection protocols to help prevent similar situations in the future.
Authorities estimate that the average age of the victims in this case was 84 and that total losses exceeded $5 million. Many of the affected individuals are unlikely to recover their money, and officials believe the true number of victims is higher due to underreporting caused by embarrassment or shame. Federal investigators have urged anyone who believes they may have been targeted to contact the Justice Department for assistance and guidance on prevention resources.
Charges in this case include conspiracy to commit mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. While several defendants are in custody, others remain at large in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. This case underscores both the vulnerability of elderly populations to high-pressure fraud tactics and the need for ongoing vigilance to protect individuals from exploitation. It also serves as a reminder that those unknowingly used as intermediaries, such as ride-hailing drivers, can suffer devastating consequences despite having no involvement in the criminal intent.
Although this investigation focused on an operation allegedly run from the Dominican Republic and affecting many victims in Massachusetts, similar scams have been carried out from other countries and within the United States itself. Criminal groups often adapt their tactics to target vulnerable populations wherever they believe they can succeed. That means this type of fraud could just as easily affect elderly residents in any state, city, or neighborhood, particularly in communities where isolation or limited familiarity with modern communication tools makes people more susceptible.
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