3 Men Sentenced In 'Grandparent Scam' That Defrauded At Least 14 Rhode Island Seniors

NEWPORT, RI — Three men were sentenced to federal prison after participating in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded more than a dozen Rhode Island seniors between the ages of 79 and 94 out of more than $300,000, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said Monday.

Federal prosecutors said at least 14 Rhode Island seniors were contacted by members of the conspiracy who impersonated family members or attorneys, claiming that a family member, often a grandchild, had been arrested and was in need of cash for bail payments. The victims were told to gather cash for these fake bail payments and to provide the money to a courier who would be sent to their home.

Bryan Valdez-Espinosa, 22, and Diego A. Alarcon, 22, of Union City, New Jersey, and Jason Hatcher, 40, of New York, New York, previously admitted to a federal judge that in June 2021, they traveled around Rhode Island posing as the couriers, collecting cash from victims of the scam. The elder victims were defrauded out of $304,081, prosecutors said.

In July 2022, Hatcher pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Alarcon and Valdez-Espinosa each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

On Friday, Alarcon was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $304,081

Valdez-Espinosa was sentenced on Feb. 13 to two-and-a-half years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He must also pay $262,240 of restitution.

Hatcher was sentenced on Nov. 21, 2022, to two years and nine months in federal prison followed by three years of federal supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $304,081.