A Dominican national accused of laundering proceeds from a large-scale elder fraud scheme was extradited to the United States and appeared in federal court in Boston on March 18. Gerardo Heriberto Nuñez Nuñez, 42, was arrested in August 2025 in the Dominican Republic at the request of U.S. authorities and is charged with one count of money laundering conspiracy.
The case centers on a transnational call center operation based in the Dominican Republic that allegedly targeted elderly victims across the United States through so-called “grandparent scams.” According to charging documents, English-speaking employees would contact victims, pretending to be grandchildren or attorneys needing urgent funds for emergencies. Victims were instructed to provide cash to runners within the United States. The investigation identified over 400 victims with an average age of 84, including at least 50 in Massachusetts, resulting in more than $5 million in losses.
Prosecutors allege that Nuñez Nuñez laundered illicit proceeds by providing access to bank accounts under business names and arranging for cash deliveries from runners to individuals in New York and elsewhere. He then supplied cash back to call center operators in the Dominican Republic, reportedly charging a fee of approximately eight to ten percent for transmitting scam proceeds.
Charges against Nuñez Nuñez and twelve others involved with the call center or as runners were unsealed in August 2025. Authorities encourage anyone who believes they may be a victim of this or other elder fraud scams to contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Suspected fraud can also be reported through the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center.
If convicted, Nuñez Nuñez faces up to twenty years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $500,000 or twice the amount laundered. He is subject to deportation after serving any sentence imposed. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said substantial assistance came from multiple agencies including the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and law enforcement partners in the Dominican Republic. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb is prosecuting the case.
“The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
