Providence man sentenced for scamming Rhode Island and Massachusetts seniors

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man, who officials said had a key role in the “grandparent scheme” that victimized dozens of senior citizens, was sentenced to federal prison Thursday.

United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced that 39-year-old Vidal Roquez was sentenced to one year and one day of incarceration; three years of supervised release; sixty hours of community service by meeting with senior citizen organizations and groups, during which he is to describe his and his co-conspirators criminal conduct and to discuss ways seniors can protect themselves from being victimized; and to pay a total of $130,300 in restitution to his victims.

Officials said he visited the homes of grandparent scam victims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to collect cash from them after they had been convinced that a relative had been arrested and that the money was urgently needed for bail.

During the investigation, officials identified thirteen seniors that were victimized by Roquez.

He pleaded on December 14m 2023 to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Officials are urging Rhode Island residents to call  1-877-FTC-HELP or go to ftc.gov/complaint if they feel like they are a victim of elder fraud.