A Dominican national accused of helping launder millions stolen from elderly Americans has been extradited to the U.S. He appeared this week before a federal court in Boston, authorities confirmed.
Gerardo Heriberto Nuñez Nuñez, 42, was transferred to U.S. custody earlier this month following his arrest in the Dominican Republic in August 2025. He is now being held without bail pending trial, according to WWLP’s report on March 19, 2026.
Federal prosecutors say Nuñez Nuñez was a key financial operator in a large fraud scheme. It targeted over 400 elderly victims across the U.S., including at least 50 in Massachusetts. Investigators say the operation stole about $5 million from victims, whose average age was 84.
According to court documents, the scheme was orchestrated by a call center in the Dominican Republic and relied on a well-known tactic known as the “grandparent scam.”
Callers pretended to be grandchildren in trouble. They claimed to be in accidents or urgent legal trouble. Next, someone posing as an attorney would urge the victim to send money fast for bail or legal fees.
Prosecutors say the calls were scripted to cause panic and stop victims from checking the story. Once payment was secured, ‘runners’ collected cash from victims’ homes or at meeting points.
Authorities say the operation was highly organized. Workers followed written steps, while supervisors tracked daily results based on callers’ earnings.
Alleged Role in Laundering Proceeds
Others contacted victims directly. Prosecutors say Nuñez Nuñez moved the illegal funds out of the U.S.
He is accused of giving access to bank accounts tied to shell companies. Runners deposited the cash they collected there. Authorities say he sometimes arranged to transfer money to contacts in New York before sending it overseas.
Investigators allege Nuñez Nuñez earned 8% to 10% commissions on transactions he handled.
He faces a conspiracy to commit money laundering charge. The sentence could be up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors also seek large financial penalties, up to $500,000 or twice the laundered amount.
The case is part of a broader investigation by the FBI and Dominican authorities. In August 2025, officials charged 13 people tied to the scheme.
Nuñez Nuñez is the last defendant brought before a U.S. court, nearly seven months after his arrest.
Authorities say the case shows fraud schemes against older Americans are growing and becoming more complex. These operations cross countries and involve organized roles, from callers to couriers and financial handlers.
Law enforcement warns the public, especially seniors and families, about emergency calls asking for money. Officials urge people to check claims with relatives. They advise avoiding urgent transfers requested by phone.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional developments are expected as the case proceeds through the federal court system.
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https://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanNewsMediaDISCLAIMER: This article was originally written in English. Translations into other languages are generated automatically using AI software and may not fully reflect the accuracy of the original text. For the most accurate version, please refer to the original English text.
