Federal agents say a massive fraud ring that targeted the elderly has ties to Bakersfield.

Officials say Bakersfield residents Felix Alejandro, 39, and Alejandro Cuarenta, 32, are among more than twenty people indicted in a $36 million wire fraud and money laundering scheme.

Detectives say the group tricked victims into paying fake fees linked to a timeshare lawsuit, then moved the money through shell companies.

Investigators connected the scheme to Nuestra Familia and Norteno criminal networks.

BPD worked with the FBI. IRS, and Homeland Security on the case.

More than 370 victims were identified across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.