Boston Man Admits To Role In Rhode Island-Based Elder Fraud Scam

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Boston man pleaded guilty to his role in an elder abuse scheme based out of Rhode Island on Tuesday. Julio Feliciano, 32, admitted to defrauding senior citizens across the country by convincing them that a relative was in need of money to get out of jail.

According to U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman's office, the scheme happened from April to October 2019. Senior citizens in North Carolina, Delaware, Illinois, Tennessee and possibly others were called by Feliciano and other members of the conspiracy. On the calls, they falsely claimed to be a relative, usually a nephew or grandson, and said they needed a large cash payment ranging from $7,000 to $9,500 for their release.

Using a fake name, one of the conspirators would tell the targeted person to mail a package with the cash to one of several addresses in Rhode Island, which includes homes, UPS Stores and a pharmacy. Feliciano admitted in court to picking up the packages after they were delivered.

On Nov. 22, 2019, Feliciano was arrested by Rhode Island State Police and Homeland Security Investigations on a federal criminal complaint as part of a still-ongoing investigation.

On Tuesday, Feliciano pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 20. The charges carry statutory penalties of up to two decades in prison with five years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000 or twice the amount gained by the fraud.