A federal grand jury returned an indictment against 8-defendants for their roles in a federal racketeering conspiracy. The indictment alleges the defendants were members and associates of a criminal enterprise that defrauded elderly Americans by making them falsely believe that a grandchild or other close relative was in trouble and needed their help. The elderly victims each paid thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to the criminal organization in the scheme. The defendants live in California, Florida and one in Arizona. According to statements made by prosecutors in court, the defendants swindled more than $2 million from 70-plus elderly victims across the nation,
