Florida man pleads guilty to charges related to “Grandparent Scam”

FLORIDA – A Hollywood, Florida man who with others reportedly operated and facilitated a large-scale “grandparent scam” has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, according to the U.S. Department of Justice

According to court documents, Joaquin Lopez, 46, of Hollywood, Florida, was a member of a network of individuals who, through extortion and fraud, induced elderly Americans across the United States to pay up to tens of thousands of dollars each to purportedly help their grandchild or other close family relative.

He is the fourth member of the network to plead guilty, the DOJ said.

Members of the network reportedly contacted elderly Americans by telephone and impersonated a grandchild, other close relative, or friend of the victim. They falsely convinced the victims that their relatives were in legal trouble and needed money to pay for bail, for medical expenses for car accident victims or to prevent additional charges from being filed, the DOJ said.

The defendants and their co-conspirators then allegedly received money from victims via various means, including in-person pickup, mail, and wire transfer, and then laundered the proceeds, including through the use of cryptocurrency.

“The Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to investigate and prosecute criminals who target elderly Americans and take advantage of their concern for loved ones,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

“We are grateful to our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California and the FBI in advancing the department’s efforts against organized elder fraud, and to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.”

“These defendants were part of a sophisticated criminal organization that exploited the tremendous love a grandparent has for a grandchild,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California. “The victims were financially and emotionally devastated by callous people who thought only of enriching themselves. Because of the diligence of our prosecution team and law enforcement partners, these defendants have been brought to justice.”

Lopez pleaded guilty to conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 19. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Two co-defendants remain pending for trial. Two additional defendants have been charged but remain at large.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s San Diego Field Office, North County Resident Agency, with critical assistance from investigators of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

Trial Attorneys Lauren M. Elfner and Wei Xiang with the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Oleksandra Johnson for the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).