New York man sentenced to 5-10 years for bilking $119G in grandparent scam

CONCORD - The Attorney General's Office announces on Friday that a New York man was sentenced in Rockingham County Superior Court for his role in perpetrating grandparent scams targeting older New Hampshire residents.

Between Oct. 27 Nov. 6, 2020, Elvis Guzman, 45, of Albany, N.Y., Guzman's co-conspirators called 10 older adult victims throughout the State and deceived them into believing that their grandchildren were arrested and needed money to pay bail. The co-conspirators falsely told several victims that they were not to speak about the matter to anyone because they were under a "gag order."

Guzman served as a courier, picking up cash directly from victims. Between October and November 2020, the defendant obtained cash belonging to seven victims, totaling $119,000.

Guzman pleaded guilty on Friday to six class A felony counts of theft by deception. On these charges, the court sentenced Guzman to serve 5-10 years in the New Hampshire State Prison, stand committed. The court also ordered him to pay $119,000 in restitution to the seven victims.

Guzman also pleaded guilty to three class A felony counts of conspiracy to commit theft by deception. On these charges, the court sentenced Mr. Guzman to serve 7 ½-15 years in the New Hampshire State Prison, all of which is suspended for 15 years. As a condition of the suspended sentence, Guzman is required to be of good behavior and pay restitution. He is also prohibited from:

contacting the victims:

• Working in any capacity with elderly or vulnerable adults;
• Serving as a fiduciary; and
• Working in any capacity involving soliciting money directly from a consumer unless he obtains prior court approval.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation, please contact your local police department or the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (1-800-949-0470).