Federal authorities announced Tuesday that 13 people accused of operating a “call center” in the Dominican Republic that targeted seniors were charged with scamming millions of dollars from hundreds of victims in the United States by posing as grandchildren in distress.

A sweeping superseding indictment unsealed in US District Court in Boston alleges callers tricked victims into believing they were a grandchild “in some sort of legal or medical trouble” and immediately needed money. Then, “closers” posing as lawyers or officials directed victims to hand over thousands of dollars in cash.

“These scams are not only financially devastating, they are emotionally traumatizing,” US Attorney Leah B. Foley said during a press conference. She said the scam destroyed the trust of victims, who we

See Full Page