PITTSBURGH — A man submitted a guilty plea in connection with a grandchild impersonation scheme.
Elvys Nicanor Nunez Valerio, 33, of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of money laundering Sept. 14, according to the Department of Justice.
Prosecutors say Valerio took part in a scheme where criminals would pretend to be an elderly person’s grandchild or relative and then request money.
The money would then allegedly be transported by an unsuspecting rideshare driver and laundered before being transferred to the Dominican Republic.
In July 2025, scammers targeted an elderly Western Pennsylvania resident, who paid them $10,000, prosecutors say. The victim was then told to pay another $12,000 to get his daughter out of prison.
Pennsylvania State Police stopped the rideshare driver with the second package and ended up following the driver to Valerio. Troopers stopped Valerio and searched his vehicle, where they allegedly found the victim’s original payment.
The DOJ says Valerio’s financial records showed he was part of the conspiracy, with more than 40 cash deposits totaling over $65,000 between January and July 2025. He also paid other co-conspirators and transferred money to the Dominican Republic.
Valerio’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1. He could face up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $500,000.
The DOJ says Valerio was living in the U.S. illegally, residing in New Jersey.
Two co-conspirators were sentenced earlier this month: Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez and Engels Guillermo Almengot Valerio, both from the Dominican Republic. They face two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for their money laundering convictions.
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