Two Plattsburgh Residents Charged in ‘Grandparent Scam’

Two Clinton County, New York residents are under indictment in an increasingly prevalent scam that targets older victims.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Richard Hartunian, says 24-year-old Christie Joseph and 28-year-old Naromie Joseph of Plattsburgh are accused of getting money from elderly people who had sent funds believing they were helping their grandchildren who were in trouble.

Federal prosecutors say the Joseph's collected the money they turned it over to others.

The pair is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and four counts of mail fraud.

The United States Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations reminds people to be suspicious of anyone who called unexpectedly asking for cash. Verify any supposed emergency by calling friends and families and develop a secret password with family members that can be used to verify an emergency.

In addition to local, state and U.S. officials, authorities in Canada were also involved in the investigation.

If convicted, the Josephs could face 20 years in federal prison and $250,000 dollar fines.