Arrests were made in California, Texas, and Florida as part of Operation Silver Shores, a federal investigation targeting a transnational fraud organization accused of stealing over $30 million from elderly victims across the United States. U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced that more than 20 members of the organization have been indicted on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
According to court documents, the group operated out of the United States and several Latin American countries. Fifteen individuals were arrested for their roles in what authorities describe as a sophisticated telemarketing scam focused on elderly Americans.
“The indictment announced today exposes a telemarketing scam that deliberately targeted our vulnerable elderly citizens and yielded more than $30 million in devastating financial losses to victims across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “But my office will relentlessly pursue justice, hold fraudsters accountable, and work tirelessly to safeguard seniors from such predatory schemes.”
Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office stated, “Today, the FBI delivered a decisive blow against violent gangs with the success of Operation Silver Shores. The Norteños and their gang affiliates arrested today are moving into sophisticated financial crimes targeting our communities’ most vulnerable, the elderly. This takedown sends a clear message: we will not tolerate criminals exploiting our communities.”
IRS Criminal Investigation Oakland Field Office Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen said, “The defendants orchestrated a multi-million-dollar transnational fraud scheme by deceiving victims into believing they were entitled to restitution from a timeshare lawsuit – then demanding upfront fees to release the supposed funds. Let this serve as a clear warning to fraudsters that financial crimes will lead to arrest and prosecution. IRS-CI special agents are committed to tracing illicit proceeds, holding perpetrators accountable, and deterring future financial crimes.”
U.S. Postal Inspection Service San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen Sherwood added, “Postal Inspectors have always stood against fraud in the U.S. mails, so I am proud of the dedication of the postal inspectors who participated in this investigation. Postal customers face victimization from increasingly complex and organized criminal enterprises, which is why teamwork like today’s operation is so important. We would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California and our federal law enforcement partners for their collaboration in bringing these defendants to face justice in a court of law.”
Authorities allege that members of this organization contacted victims using false identities—posing as attorneys or government officials—and convinced them they were entitled to settlement funds related to timeshares if they paid upfront fees.
The organization allegedly used shell companies and fictitious business names along with layered financial transactions through various accounts—including those at fintech firms specializing in international transfers—to launder proceeds while evading anti-money laundering controls at banks.
Investigators report identifying over 372 victims nationwide with losses exceeding $30 million; more than $1.5 million has been seized so far.
Among those arrested are Piera Salgado Teleki (Berkeley), Maira Liset Chavez (Marysville), Sergio Madrigal Lacayo Jr. (Stockton), Celina Martinez (San Jose), Ashley Molina (Amarillo), Carlos Zamora (Port Saint Lucie), Stephanie Alonzo (Fort Lauderdale), Ricardo Plascencia (Amarillo), Samuel Lopez (Amarillo), Veronica Puentes (Port Saint Lucie). Additional California residents facing charges include Antonio Palafox Aguilar (Fresno), Felix Alejandro (Bakersfield/Federal inmate at UPS Florence-High), Alejandro Cuarenta (Bakersfield), Jennifer Magana (Fresno), Anthony Chavez (Fremont).
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation, Bakersfield Police Department—with assistance from U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Truckee Police Department—and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Spivak and Cody S. Chapple.
If convicted on all counts, defendants could face up to 30 years for wire fraud-related charges plus fines up to $250,000 per count; money laundering convictions carry up to 20 years imprisonment with fines up to $500,000 or twice transaction value.
This operation was conducted under both Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)—which coordinates multi-agency efforts against major criminal organizations—and California Homeland Security Task Force as part of Operation Take Back America.
Operation Take Back America is described as an initiative combining resources from DOJ programs like OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhoods aimed at combating cartels and transnational criminal organizations within U.S borders.
All charges are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
