Federal prosecutors charged 25 Canadians for their involvement in a 'grandparent scam' that swindled elderly Americans out of over $21 million across 40 states. Between 2021 and 2024, the scammers, operating from call centers in Montreal, deceived victims into believing their grandchildren had been arrested and needed immediate bail money. They often posed as attorneys and pressured victims with claims of 'gag orders' preventing them from discussing the case. Law enforcement linked the scam to cash and cryptocurrency transfers to Canada during investigations of ongoing calls.
Federal prosecutors allege those charged participated in a phone scam that claimed an elderly individual's relative, usually a grandchild, needed money for bail after an arrest.
A federal grand jury last month charged 25 Canadians with participating in a conspiracy that allegedly defrauded American citizens in more than 40 states out of $21 million between 2021 and 2024.
Elderly victims were convinced to provide bail money to an individual falsely posing as a bail bondsman, who would come to the elderly victim's home to collect the money.
The collected money was transmitted to Canada using cash deliveries and sometimes using cryptocurrency, according to prosecutors.
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