Twenty-five Canadians have been indicted for orchestrating a $21 million 'grandparent scam' that swindled hundreds of seniors in the U.S. over three years. The scam involved deceiving elderly individuals into believing a relative had been arrested and needed bail money, exploiting emotions for financial gain. Most defendants were arrested in Canada, and the scheme spanned 46 states, operated from call centers around Montreal. This case highlights the dangers of transnational fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly retirees, with emotionally manipulative tactics.
"Between the summer of 2021 and June 4, 2024, the defendants deceived people into thinking that a relative - typically a grandchild - had been arrested after a car crash and needed money to post bail."
"Thomas Demeo, acting special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation's Boston field office, stated that the defendants were involved in a transnational criminal enterprise with the sole intent of defrauding hundreds of retirees of their life savings by preying on their emotions."
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