CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Chaman Samael Silverio Balbuena, 31, of Defiance, Missouri, is among 13 individuals facing federal charges in a sophisticated scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of more than $5 million.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Balbuena was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Federal prosecutors say the group operated across five states and frequently coordinated their activities from a call center based in the Dominican Republic.
The scam primarily targeted senior citizens—most of the victims averaging 84 years old—by posing as grandchildren or lawyers urgently requesting money due to legal trouble.
To collect the funds, scammers allegedly used rideshare drivers to pick up cash directly from victims’ homes or to transport victims to banks. Authorities clarified that the rideshare drivers were not aware they were part of a scam.
Sydney Waters from the Better Business Bureau explained how artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to make these scams more convincing. With just three seconds of audio, scammers can clone voices that sound indistinguishably like a loved one.
“These voices, depending on how advanced the software the scammers use, sound exactly like your grandchild,” Waters said. “We even see fake mugshots generated with AI.”
The use of AI makes it harder for victims to think clearly or question the urgency of the request. Waters emphasized the importance of remaining calm, verifying any claims, and contacting other family members or law enforcement before taking action.
She recommends families establish a private “safe word” that must be used during any emergency communication.
“Don’t share it with anyone outside your family,” she added. “It could save you from becoming a victim.”
The Justice Department continues to investigate the case, and more charges may follow.
