25 Canadians Charged in $21M 'Grandparent Scam' Targeting Elderly Americans

The alleged cross-border scheme used fear tactics and advanced technology to defraud seniors in 46 U.S. states over three years.

U.S. authorities have charged 25 Canadian nationals with wire fraud in connection to a 'grandparent scam' that defrauded elderly Americans of over $21 million between 2021 and 2024.
The operation, based in Montreal-area call centers, allegedly involved impersonating relatives in distress and coercing victims into providing bail money under false pretenses.
Scammers used voice-over-internet technology to mask their phone numbers, cryptocurrency to launder funds, and ride-hailing services to collect money from victims’ homes.
Twenty-three suspects were arrested in Canada, while two remain at large; five defendants face additional charges of money laundering and could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
Law enforcement from the U.S. and Canada, including the RCMP and Sûreté du Québec, collaborated to dismantle the network, which targeted victims in 46 states.