Vidal Roquez, a 39-year-old from Providence, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for his involvement in a grandparent scam that targeted over 13 seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. According to U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha, Roquez collected cash from victims by convincing them they needed to pay bail money for a relative who had supposedly been arrested.
Roquez admitted in federal court that he personally visited the homes of these victims, where he exploited their trust. Co-conspirators had led the seniors to believe that a “gag order” was in effect, preventing them from discussing the situation with anyone else.
The investigation revealed that Roquez defrauded at least 13 elderly individuals. His arrest followed an unsuccessful attempt to swindle another senior in Little Compton.
On December 14, 2023, Roquez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In addition to his prison time, he will serve three years of probation, complete 60 hours of community service, and pay restitution totaling $130,300.