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A Bronx man faces 20 years in prison for his involvement in an international “grandparent scam” involving elderly people with grandchildren.

Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, is alleged to have collected tens of thousands of dollars from grandparents in New York and New Jersey between August 2020 and 2021 when they provided cash to settle what they falsely believed to be their grandchildren's legal problems.

The scam was carried out from call centers in the Dominican Republic. The conspirators contacted elderly people and pretended to be their grandchildren or people in the justice system.

The imposters told the victims that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed cash for bail or other expenses.

“After convincing the victims through lies and falsehoods, the co-conspirators instructed the victims to give cash to couriers, including Valdez, who went to the victims' homes to pick up the money,” the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey said in a statement.

“The alleged perpetrators of these frauds – including the defendant – are targeting our vulnerable senior population,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

“They rely on the grandparents' love and devotion to their families to convince them to raise money.”

“As alleged in this indictment, the defendant worked as a courier today and drove to the homes of the fraud victims to pick up the money,” he continued.

“My office will protect the rights of all victims, and we will relentlessly prosecute those who are suspected of deliberately defrauding vulnerable people of their life savings.”

Valdez was arrested Tuesday and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. attorney said.

According to court documents, he pleaded not guilty.

“Mr. Valdez knowingly exploited older people for his own benefit,” Social Security Administration Inspector General Gail S. Ennis said in the statement.

“We are pleased that our law enforcement partners are assisting us in investigating and prosecuting these complex, international scams aimed at defrauding older Americans, many of whom rely on welfare to make ends meet.”

If convicted, Valdez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Valdez could not be reached and his attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.