Overview

• RCMP agents arrested Gareth West in Quebec on U.S. conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering charges.
• U.S. authorities allege he masterminded a cross-border network operating from Montreal-area call centres that tricked victims into sending over $30 million.
• Scammers impersonated grandchildren in distress and used fake lawyers and ride-share couriers to collect urgent bail money from elderly victims.
• Prior to his arrest, investigators had detained 23 alleged operatives while a March raid failed to capture West or his partner Jimmy Ylimaki.
• Police and elder support groups are urging seniors to hang up on unsolicited requests for money, verify with family members and report suspicious calls.