FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A transnational fraud scheme uncovered.<\/p>\n
“We exposed a complex fraud led by gangs that drained the life savings of elderly victims,” FBI Special Agent in Charge, Sid Patel said.<\/p>\n
Federal officials have arrested 15 people accused of running a fraudulent telemarketing scheme that targeted elderly Americans.<\/p>\n
Investigators say the suspects contacted victims who owned or previously owned timeshares through phone calls and emails.<\/p>\n
Authorities say the accused criminals used various tactics to steal victims’ money, then laundered it through shell companies and financial accounts before transferring funds to gang-controlled bank accounts in the U.S., Latin America, and other regions.<\/p>\n
“They first convinced their victims to buy nonexistent timeshares. Next, they posed as attorneys who claimed that the victims were each entitled to a legal settlement,” Patel explained.<\/p>\n
Patel says the victims thought they would get hundreds of thousands of dollars in the settlement, if they paid legal fees.<\/p>\n
“They used real government employee names,” Patel explained. “They used real attorney bar association numbers and seemingly authentic seals.”<\/p>\n
The IRS raising some red flags.<\/p>\n
“The government will not ask you for fees to obtain legitimate money owed to you,” IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen said.<\/p>\n
Authorities say this scheme is a cautionary tale for all.<\/p>\n
“Do not give money out to individuals that you are not familiar with and haven’t done your own investigative efforts on, right? Don’t freely give out the money. Don’t give your routing numbers. Don’t give your account numbers,” Patel advised.<\/p>\n
If you have any doubt, contact law enforcement.<\/p>\n
The suspects, accused of being members of a transnational gang known for drug trafficking, allegedly shifted to fraud because it was easier and more profitable.<\/p>\n
Authorities have identified more than 372 victims nationwide, with losses exceeding $30 million– money they may never see again.<\/p>\n
“We do our best to recover anything there is to recover,” Eastern District of California U.S. Attorney Eric Grant stated.<\/p>\n
The arrests, part of “Operation Silver Shores,” came after a Fresno-based grand jury indictment charging more than 20 people with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.<\/p>\n
Arrests were made in California, Texas, and Florida, including two suspects from Fresno and two from Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
For news and weather updates, follow Tiffany Olin on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Copyright \u00a9 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n