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justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a reinvigorated effort to combat transnational elder fraud schemes that cost billions of dollars annually, with several recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases included Troy Murray, who pleaded guilty to selling a database of over 7 million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery scammers, and his son Cutter Murray, who pleaded guilty to money laundering $1.6 million in fraudulent proceeds; other defendants were charged for operating Jamaica-based lottery fraud schemes that defrauded seniors across the country, with one victim losing over $400,
cp24.com
· 2025-12-08
Canadians lost $638 million to scams last year, with seniors disproportionately affected across multiple fraud types including romance scams, grandparent scams, investment fraud, and door-to-door scams, with individual losses ranging from $8,000 to $750,000. Experts attribute seniors' vulnerability to their trusting nature and oversharing of personal information online, and recommend that seniors adopt protective measures such as using strong passwords, being assertive in declining requests, and consulting trusted family members before making financial decisions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to prosecute transnational elder fraud schemes that cost American seniors billions of dollars. Recent prosecutions in the District of Rhode Island include: a British national convicted in a multi-state construction fraud targeting seniors across four states for over $1 million; eight individuals indicted for orchestrating transnational tech support scams that defrauded approximately 300 seniors across 37 states of over $5 million; and two residents charged with grandparent scams that defrauded seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts of at least $230,000. The DOJ urged seniors an
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated prosecutorial efforts against transnational and domestic elder fraud schemes that cost seniors billions of dollars annually, highlighting recent cases involving romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. A notable Montana case resulted in the arrest of a man involved in an India-based scheme impersonating U.S. Marshals that defrauded an elderly victim of over $1 million. The DOJ emphasizes the importance of community vigilance, victim restitution efforts, and encourages seniors and their families to contact the free National Elder Fraud Hotline for assistance with
cbs58.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men posing as driveway cement workers targeted an elderly Kenosha couple, with one worker distracting the homeowners while the other burglarized their home and stole tens of thousands of dollars from their safe. The 89-year-old victim and his wife were requested to pay upfront, a red flag they did not recognize, and discovered the theft after the men fled the scene. The Kenosha Police Department is actively investigating the incident.
smnewsnet.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to combat transnational elder fraud schemes costing billions of dollars, with recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases include Troy Murray, who sold a database of over seven million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery fraudsters and laundered $1.6 million in proceeds, and Dennis Anderson and Frank Angelori, who brokered lead lists to Jamaica-based scammers from 2015-2020. Individual victims lost significant sums, with one Arizona victim losing over $400,000 to a lottery fraud scheme.
uchealth.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole $3.4 billion from older U.S. adults in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year, using tactics like romance scams, fake investments, and Medicare fraud that exploit fear and greed. Beyond financial losses, elder fraud causes significant psychological harm including anxiety, shame, depression, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation, requiring individualized mental health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Older adults are particularly targeted due to their assets, trust in authority, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential cognitive changes that impair fraud recognition.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Malwarebytes research surveying 1,300 people across the US and Europe found that 78% encounter scams on their smartphones at least weekly, with 44% encountering them daily, primarily through email (65%), phone calls/voicemails (53%), text messages (50%), malicious websites (49%), and social media (47%). Despite the high frequency of scam encounters, only 15% of respondents strongly agreed they could confidently identify a scam, highlighting the need for caution when receiving messages from unknown senders or urgent requests for money or personal information.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An Eagan, Minnesota couple in their 70s nearly lost $125,000 to a scam after receiving a fraudulent call impersonating the Federal Trade Commission, instructing them to transfer funds to Bitcoin to "protect" their identities following a recent data breach. A vigilant bystander at a local eatery noticed something suspicious and called 911, allowing police to arrive and stop the transaction moments before completion. The incident highlights the rising prevalence of identity theft scams targeting seniors through impersonation of trusted government agencies.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two men—Jinrong Shi, 28, of New York, and Jiyang Zhong, 27, a Chinese national—were indicted on federal charges for running "grandparent" and "tech support" scams targeting elderly victims in Northeast Ohio (Cleveland Heights, Willoughby, Canton, and Warren) in May and June 2024. The defendants, working with a network of co-conspirators using "fraud callers" and "fraud couriers," defrauded victims of over $201,000 by posing as law enforcement or tech support personnel and arranging cash pickups at victims' homes or directing victims to mail money. The laundered proceeds
nationwidemediacentre.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Nationwide Building Society survey of 2,000 students found that 28% have been scammed, with purchase fraud (46%), WhatsApp impersonation scams (39%), and blackmail/sextortion scams (29%) being the most common types. The research revealed a rising trend of blackmail scams targeting younger people on social media, often linked to romance scams where perpetrators extract private images or information before demanding money under threat of exposure to victims' contacts.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men, Jinrong Shi (28) and Jiyang Zhong (27), were indicted on 10 counts for defrauding elderly victims in Northeast Ohio through "grandparent" and "tech support" scams in May-June 2024, stealing over $201,000 from residents in Cleveland Heights, Willoughby, Canton, and Warren. The defendants worked with a criminal network of "fraud callers" and "fraud couriers" who convinced victims to withdraw cash and used passwords to gain trust, then laundered proceeds across state lines and through cryptocurrency accounts in China. Both men face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
lethbridgeherald.com
· 2025-12-08
**Seniors and Financial Fraud - Overview and Rising Threats**
People age 60 and over lost $3.4 billion combined to fraud in 2023, with scammers increasingly targeting older adults through evolving methods including phone impersonation, online platforms like Facebook, and cryptocurrency schemes. Common scams include the grandparent scam, tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes that exploit seniors' trust and lower technological proficiency. Law enforcement notes that fraudsters now use sophisticated tools and AI to appear more credible, making it essential for seniors to remain vigilant about unsolicited contact and requests for personal or financial information.
wsbradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta is participating in a national initiative to prosecute perpetrators of elder fraud through cooperation with domestic and international law enforcement agencies. The office employs a two-pronged strategy combining prosecution of offenders with community education and prevention efforts, as these scams—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams—cost seniors billions of dollars annually and often deplete life savings. Victims or those aware of elder fraud can report incidents to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
local10.com
· 2025-12-08
A 48-year-old Miami man was arrested in Standish, Maine after flying to New England to collect money from an elderly woman who had been victimized by a "grandparent scam." The woman had withdrawn $9,500 believing she was paying legal fees for her grandson's arrest, but Bighoro was the in-person collector for the fraud scheme. He faces charges of theft by deception and operating with a suspended license.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced increased efforts to combat elder fraud schemes—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandpament scams—that cost victims billions of dollars and deplete life savings. The office employs a two-pronged approach: prosecuting domestic and foreign criminals involved in elder fraud and money laundering, and conducting outreach to law enforcement and community groups on prevention and detection. The National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) provides free support to seniors age 60 and older who have experienced financial fraud, offering victim assessment, reporting assistance,
dentonrc.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article presents a quiz-format overview of common elder fraud schemes and prevention strategies, based on insights from a Texas Elder Justice Coalition summit. Key scams covered include romance/pig butchering scams, tech support fraud, impersonation scams using AI, fake lottery schemes, and caregiver theft, with recommendations including reporting to IC3.gov, using family code words, and recognizing warning signs like secretive apps and unusual bank activity.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Garrett County Sheriff Bryson Meyers issued a public awareness reminder about common scams targeting residents in the area, including tech support fraud, grandparent scams, government impersonation, romance scams, investment fraud, AI voice cloning, jury duty scams, and law enforcement impersonation. Residents are advised never to send money or personal information to unknown callers, avoid unsolicited pop-ups, and be alert to payment requests via Bitcoin or prepaid cards, as legitimate officials do not solicit payments by phone.
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 25 seniors at General Douglas MacArthur Village in Hempstead attended a scam awareness workshop presented by the Office of Crime Victim Advocate on June 9, where they learned to recognize and avoid common fraud schemes including romance scams, identity theft, deed theft, and "grandparent scams." The training, which covered tactics like phishing and bogus official calls that create artificial urgency, statistically reduces victimization risk by 80 percent according to studies. The New Greater Hempstead Chamber of Commerce Committee on Aging continues to provide resources and will host another awareness workshop in September.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Justice Department announced increased prosecution efforts against elder fraud schemes, which cost victims billions of dollars annually and often deplete life savings. The Northern District of Georgia has prosecuted multiple cases including an Indian call center scam where perpetrators impersonated government officials to fraudulently obtain funds, resulting in convictions and money laundering charges against Pradip Parikh, Alpesh Patel, and others. The Justice Department employs a two-pronged approach combining criminal prosecution with community outreach and education about common elder fraud schemes including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Philadelphia man lost over $1 million in two consecutive scams orchestrated by a fraudster posing as "Daisy" from Apple customer support. The scam began when he called a fake Apple support number, and evolved from a customer service fraud (where he was tricked into buying gift cards) into a romance scam that built trust over months of daily communication, ultimately resulting in him handing over $780,000 in precious metals to a money mule. The article warns consumers to watch for red flags including fake customer support numbers, lookalike websites, unsolicited contact, and suspicious requests for money or assets.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
A Louisville woman lost $9,000 to a "grandparent scam" in which a caller impersonated her grandson claiming he needed bail money, leading to the identification of a delivery person via doorbell camera footage. The arrest of the suspect at a local hotel within 36 hours initiated a nationwide investigation that ultimately resulted in six federal convictions and exposed an international call center network operating from Canada, Colombia, and Panama that had stolen over $3 million from elderly victims across the U.S. The victim has since recovered approximately half of her lost money and now recognizes such scams.
tcsheriff.org
· 2025-12-08
Travis County Sheriff's Office warns residents about phone scams impersonating law enforcement and financial institutions to demand immediate payment via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and gift cards. Common scams include jury duty fines, grandchild-in-jail schemes, and fake bank fraud alerts that trick victims into withdrawing money or providing personal information. Residents should never send money over the phone to unknown callers and should independently verify requests by contacting official agencies directly rather than calling back spoofed numbers.
kcbx.org
· 2025-12-08
State Senator Monique Limón is hosting a free Senior Scam Prevention Seminar in Goleta on June 27 to educate older adults about protecting themselves from fraud, following warnings from law enforcement in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties about recent scam calls impersonating officers. Experts from the California Department of Insurance, Consumer Affairs, and Department of Justice will present information on common scam tactics including fake tech support, grandparent scams, fake lottery winnings, and phony home repair offers that frequently target seniors.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI's annual internet crime report, seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams last year and are disproportionately targeted by scammers who view them as wealthy, not feeble-minded. The article identifies two major red flags for potential scams: feeling panicked and experiencing pressure to make fast decisions, and recommends that seniors slow down, create mental space to think, and independently verify claims before acting. Various protective services and apps have been developed to help seniors guard against financial exploitation.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource presents a chart detailing common scams targeting consumers, including AI scams (deepfake impersonations), bank text scams (phishing for account information), billing/invoice scams (fake invoices demanding payment), brushing scams (unsolicited items to boost reviews), and charity scams. The guide identifies shared scammer tactics such as impersonation, creating urgency, and pressuring victims to share personal information, while offering specific identification and prevention strategies for each scam type. The material encourages sharing this information with friends and family as a primary defense against fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams last year and remain prime targets due to their concentrated wealth, according to the FBI. The article identifies five red flags indicating a potential scam: feeling panicked, pressure to make fast decisions, unsolicited contact, requests for personal information, and reluctance to verify claims—noting that scammers rely on emotional manipulation and time pressure to override victims' judgment. Experts advise pausing to think critically when experiencing these warning signs, as scammers count on immediate reactions rather than careful consideration.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five red flags that warn seniors they may be targeted for scams, emphasizing that older adults lose nearly $5 billion annually and are targeted because they hold roughly half of U.S. wealth. The first two red flags discussed are feeling panicked (as in grandparent scams demanding immediate bail) and pressure to make fast decisions (such as investment opportunities or fake retail websites), with experts advising victims to slow down, create mental space, and independently verify claims rather than acting immediately.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior Scam Alerts, a free weekly newsletter, launched in June 2025 to educate older Americans about fraud prevention following a crisis year in which Americans aged 60+ lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams in 2024—a 43% increase from the prior year with average losses exceeding $83,000 per victim. The newsletter covers various scam types including health insurance fraud, pig butchering, smishing, and grandparent scams, providing prevention tips, real-life case studies, and reporting resources drawn from trusted sources like the FBI and Department of Justice.
newsfilecorp.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior Scam Alerts, a new free weekly newsletter launched in June 2025, aims to educate older Americans about fraud prevention through coverage of scam types, detection methods, and reporting procedures. According to FBI data, seniors aged 60+ lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams in 2024—a 43% increase from the previous year with an average loss of $83,000 per victim—prompting this educational initiative drawing from trusted sources like the FBI and Department of Justice.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in Jensen Beach, Florida, lost $800 to a Facebook scam in which a fraudster impersonating Elon Musk promised her a Tesla and $250,000 in cash, then repeatedly requested Apple Gift Card payments for supposed delivery fees. The scammer used a fake profile with copied images and AI-generated content, moved the conversation to WhatsApp, and exploited urgency and flattery to manipulate the victim into sending multiple payments before she recognized the pattern. Gift cards are favored by scammers because they are untraceable, fast, and nearly impossible to recover once redeemed.
evanstonroundtable.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Evanston seniors fell victim to scams in recent months: a 76-year-old woman lost over $102,350 after being tricked into transferring funds to Bitcoin by someone impersonating a Microsoft employee, and an 83-year-old woman nearly lost $12,500 in a Publisher's Clearinghouse sweepstakes scam before loss prevention staff at Jewel-Osco intervened. Police emphasized that prevention requires education, as most scammers operate internationally making arrests rare, and urged families to discuss common scam tactics with vulnerable relatives, particularly impersonation schemes involving grandchildren, financial institutions, tech support, and government agencies.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York State Police warned residents of Jefferson and Lewis counties about scams targeting elderly people, including impersonation of law enforcement conducting financial investigations and grandparent scams where callers pose as lawyers demanding money for a grandchild's legal troubles. These scams commonly use spoofed phone numbers, text apps, pop-up messages, and create urgency while demanding secrecy, often requesting payment via gift cards or cash sent through the mail. Law enforcement reminded the public that legitimate officers and lawyers never request payment through gift cards or cash, and advised residents to verify suspicious contact through independent phone calls to known contacts.
coastalbreezenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Lunch with Friends hosted over 100 seniors on June 18th at Marco Lutheran Church, where Lieutenant Joseph Belardo from the Marco Island Police Department presented on elder fraud prevention. Lt. Belardo warned that scammers stole $3.4-$6.1 billion from older Americans last year, with tech support scams, government impostor scams, and AI-powered voice cloning being among the most common threats; he advised seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited calls/texts/emails, avoid clicking suspicious links, and verify requests by calling trusted phone numbers directly. The presentation also covered ransomware, malware, and deepfakes, with recommendations to update security software, use V
vietnam.vn
· 2025-12-08
Gen Z individuals in Hanoi fell victim to sophisticated impersonation scams despite growing up with digital literacy. Multiple cases involved fraudsters posing as police officers or bank employees, using psychological pressure and panic tactics to convince victims to transfer money; a 20-year-old lost 1.6 billion VND, another lost nearly 1 billion VND to fake police calls, and a 30-year-old lost 145 million VND total to a fake bank employee scam. The article highlights that scammers succeed not just through deceiving awareness but by exploiting psychological vulnerabilities and crisis-response confusion with constantly evolving scenarios and impersonation tactics.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Sen. Jon Husted introduced bipartisan legislation called "The Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act" to establish a task force that will examine how financial institutions can use AI to protect against fraud, particularly deep fake scams where fraudsters impersonate family members to steal money. According to Federal Trade Commission data, fraudsters stole over $12.5 billion from consumers in 2024—a 25% increase from 2023—with an AARP study finding that 77% of older adults worry they may become targets of AI-related fraud. The bill, endorsed by AARP and co-sponsored by Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock, would require the
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines seven common Zelle scams and protective measures. Zelle, a money-transfer service used by major U.S. banks, is generally secure but vulnerable to scammer exploitation; the platform announced in November 2023 it would refund victims of certain imposter scams (financial institution, government, and Zelle refund impersonators) but not others like friend/family or romance impersonators. Users are advised to verify the identity of anyone requesting money transfers, use reverse phone lookup tools, and remember that legitimate institutions never request money via phone, text, or email.
newuniversity.org
· 2025-12-08
Orange County officially recognized June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day through a Board of Supervisors resolution, highlighting that 14.3% of county residents are age 65 and older and that Adult Protective Services received over 2,500 abuse reports in 2024. Financial exploitation accounts for 40% of these reports, with common schemes including IRS impersonation scams, grandparent scams, and romance scams that deplete victims' savings. The California Department of Justice estimates that only one in six instances of elder abuse is reported statewide, and experts recommend never sharing financial information with unsolicited callers regardless of claimed identity.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Hampton, Virginia fell victim to a sophisticated Facebook account takeover scam in which a scammer impersonated her friend, used fake video calls and personal details to gain her trust, and tricked her into sending a recovery code that gave them access to her account. The scammer changed her email and password, locked her out, compromised three Facebook groups she administered, and attempted to purchase $17,000 in bitcoins on her account before she recognized a follow-up scam demanding money. The article provides recovery steps for compromised Facebook accounts and advises victims to report incidents to IC3.gov and Facebook's official support channels rather than third-party support numbers.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans are being targeted by scams at unprecedented rates, with 96% receiving fraudulent calls, emails, or texts weekly, according to a CNET report. The most prevalent scams include highway toll/ticket schemes, shipping notification frauds, and the "grandparents scam" where callers impersonate family members claiming to be in trouble and demanding money immediately. Experts warn that rising AI and voice-cloning technology will likely increase these impersonation scams, and recommend remaining vigilant by avoiding responses to unsolicited messages and verifying caller identity.
ckpolice.com
· 2025-12-08
This document provides guidance on two distinct fraud threats: counterfeit currency and grandparent scams targeting seniors. For counterfeit notes, individuals should stop the transaction, contact police, and verify authenticity by checking security features against known genuine notes. Grandparent scams exploit seniors' concern for family members through urgent phone calls claiming financial emergencies; victims should verify the caller's identity with actual relatives before sending money via untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards, and report suspected scams to local police and financial institutions immediately.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
SOMA Cyber Inc., a Paducah-based cybersecurity company, is hosting a free cyberfraud and scam awareness session on July 25 aimed at educating elderly individuals about identifying and avoiding common online scams. Executive Vice President Johnny Sanders emphasized that AI tools like ChatGPT have made phishing emails easier to create, and stressed the importance of recognizing that cyber threats affect local communities, not just distant cities. Sanders recommends using multi-factor authentication, being cautious with payment information, avoiding suspicious messages that seem too good to be true, and having conversations with older family members about scam prevention.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Joseph Badu Boateng, a prominent Ghanaian businessman known as "Dada Joe Remix," was extradited to the United States on July 1, 2025, to face charges of wire fraud and money laundering for operating a romance and inheritance scam targeting elderly Americans. Between 2013 and March 2023, Boateng and his co-conspirators defrauded US victims of millions of dollars by falsely claiming to possess gold and jewels that required payment of taxes and fees to release. He is one of ten Ghanaians pursued by US authorities as part of a broader crackdown on transnational fraud schemes, with arrests coor
echopress.com
· 2025-12-08
**More than 200 seniors attended the Alexandria Senior Expo on June 26, where law enforcement officials and banking professionals educated attendees on recognizing and preventing phone, internet, and mail-based scams.** The event, hosted by Triad (a partnership of Douglas County Senior Services, Sheriff's Office, and Alexandria Police), featured 30 vendor tables, breakout sessions, and a keynote speaker from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Attendees shared personal experiences with scams, including a fake utility bill for $53.24, grandson scams, and tech support scams, highlighting the importance of discussing fraud experiences to help others avoid similar victimization.
paloaltoonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Palo Alto police and FBI officials held an educational seminar at Mitchell Park Community Center to help seniors prevent scams, as the nation faced a record $16.6 billion in scam losses in the previous year—a 33% increase. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, led by Deputy Bob Yee, is expanding fraud prevention seminars throughout the region, teaching participants to identify the five most common senior scams involving impersonation: person-in-need/grandparent scams, financial services fraud, government impersonation, tech support scams, and romance scams. Experts advise seniors to hang up on suspicious callers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly, and remember
paloaltoonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Palo Alto and Santa Clara County law enforcement hosted educational seminars in spring to help seniors recognize and prevent scams, as the country experienced a record $16.6 billion in scam losses in the previous year—a 33% increase. The top five scams targeting seniors involve impersonation: grandparent scams (fake emergencies using AI voice replication), financial services impersonation, government imposter scams, tech support fraud, and romance scams, with warning signs including rushed calls demanding secrecy and threats. Experts advise seniors to hang up on suspicious calls, verify requests directly with the entity, and remember that legitimate institutions never request sensitive information or demand immediate
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Gareth West, the alleged leader of Canada's largest grandparent scam network, was arrested in Quebec after months of eluding police; he is accused of orchestrating a fraud scheme that defrauded approximately $30 million from American seniors through dozens of call centre employees in the Montreal area. West has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering and faces up to 40 years in prison if extradited to the U.S. and convicted. Twenty-three other alleged network members were previously arrested, though one conspirator remains at large.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Gareth West, a Canadian man, was arrested as the ringleader of a $30 million grandparent scam network that victimized seniors across 46 states by having callers impersonate their grandchildren in distress and demand urgent cash transfers. West operated call centers in Montreal with dozens of employees who spoofed American phone numbers, connected victims to fake lawyers and bail agents, and facilitated money transfers while West used the proceeds for luxury cars, properties, and travel. He faces charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering carrying up to 40 years in federal prison, with 23 other network members arrested prior to his custody.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Gareth West, the Canadian ringleader of a grandparent scam network that defrauded seniors across 46 U.S. states of approximately $30 million, was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at the request of U.S. authorities. The scam involved callers impersonating grandchildren in distress to pressure elderly victims into sending money through fake lawyers, bail agents, and courier services, with West operating call centers in Montreal using spoofed American phone numbers. West faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering carrying up to 40 years in federal prison, and 23 co-conspirators had been arrested prior to his apprehension
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Gareth West, a Canadian man accused of orchestrating one of North America's largest cross-border "grandparent scams," was arrested by the RCMP in Quebec on July 4. Operating call centers in the Montreal area, West led a network that stole at least $30 million from elderly victims across 46 US states by posing as grandchildren in distress and pressuring seniors to send bail money, while using fraudulent proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle. He faces charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy and could receive up to 40 years in federal prison if convicted in the United States.