Elderly Americans scammed out of millions by foreigners posing as grandchildren in trouble

Scammers from the Dominican Republic netted a collective $35 million by impersonating elderly victims' grandchildren and other relatives, claiming that they were in dire situations and needed money for bail or legal fees, the Department of Homeland Security announced.

Before the 16 fraudsters were charged in a 19-count indictment, they had conned approximately 5,000 victims in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts between the ages of 72 and 93, U.S. Attorney for the District...