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25 Canadians Indicted in $21 Million 'Grandparent Scam' Targeting U.S. Seniors

The transnational scheme used emotional manipulation and advanced technology to defraud retirees in 46 states over three years.

In Canton, Ohio, Det. Danielle Paciorek explains the warning signs of fraud at a lunch-and-learn session for seniors sponsored by the Perry Police Department at the Canton McKinley Fraternal Order of Eagles in September 2024.
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Overview

  • Twenty-five Canadians, primarily operating out of Montreal, have been charged in a $21 million fraud targeting elderly Americans through a 'grandparent scam.'
  • Prosecutors allege the defendants posed as relatives in legal trouble to coerce victims into sending substantial sums of money, often using cryptocurrency to obscure transactions.
  • The scheme, active between 2021 and mid-2024, utilized call centers in Quebec and employed tactics like impersonating lawyers and bail bondsmen to enhance credibility.
  • Authorities arrested 23 suspects in Canada, while two remain at large; five alleged leaders face additional money laundering charges and up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
  • Investigators credit international cooperation, particularly with Canadian law enforcement, for dismantling the operation, which exploited personal data and advanced telecommunication tools.