👵 $30M Grandparent Scam Busted—Ringleader Faces 40 Years

WEEKLY SCAM ALERTS
Week of July 13

• Senior Scammed Out of $16,000 by Criminal Impersonating Microsoft IT Support

• Fake CAPTCHA Scam Continues to Cause Trouble

• Police Arrest Man Accused of Impersonating FBI Agent

SENIOR SCAM NEWS
👵 $30M Grandparent Scam Network Busted—Ringleader Faces 40 Years

Sorry for not getting the newsletter out yesterday. It was human error and not a technical glitch.

This week’s story is one of justice finally catching up with fraud. A Canadian man accused of running one of the largest “grandparent scam” networks in North America has been arrested—and the scale of the operation is almost unbelievable.

Authorities say this single network stole more than $30 million from seniors in 46 U.S. states by playing on their greatest vulnerability: love for their grandchildren.

Let’s break down what happened, how the scam worked, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from this kind of emotional fraud.

The Arrest: A Major Victory

On July 4, Canadian authorities arrested Gareth West, described as the mastermind of a sophisticated criminal ring based in Montreal, Quebec. He was taken into custody by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at the request of U.S. officials.

West faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which together could carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison if he is extradited and convicted in the U.S.

He is accused of running a call center operation that employed dozens of scammers, all trained to manipulate senior citizens with one specific lie.

How the Scam Worked

The fraud was a textbook example of what’s known as a “grandparent scam.”

Here’s how it unfolded:

1. Victims received a sudden, panicked phone call from someone claiming to be their grandchild.

2. The fake grandchild said they had been arrested or injured and urgently needed bail or legal fees.

3. Victims were pressured to act quickly and not tell other family members, to create secrecy and urgency.

4. Callers then transferred the victim to fake lawyers or bail agents.

5. Money was picked up using couriers or ride-share drivers, or sent through wire transfers.

By the time seniors realized it was a scam, their money—and often their trust—was gone.

The Lifestyle Behind the Lies

While victims were panicking and emptying their savings, Gareth West was living large.

Authorities say West posed as a successful Montreal real estate developer, while secretly using the stolen money to fund a luxury lifestyle—including expensive cars, high-end homes, and lavish travel.

A CBC investigation even revealed that he had evaded a previous arrest in March, fleeing just before a raid on a property in Burlington, Ontario.

Justice in Motion

West’s arrest follows the previous capture of 23 other people involved in the fraud. The arrests were the result of an international law enforcement effort involving:

• The RCMP

• U.S. Homeland Security Investigations

• The IRS

• Provincial and local police

Another suspect, Jimmy Ylimaki, was also recently located after being on the run.

Extradition proceedings for West are now underway in Canada.

How You Can Protect Yourself

This case is a powerful reminder: scammers will say anything to get your money—even pretend to be your grandchild.

Here are steps you can take to stay safe:

👂 Stay calm if you receive a distress call. Don’t panic.
📞 Hang up and call your real grandchild or another family member.
🚔 Never send money to someone you don’t know or haven’t verified.
🚫 Do not give out personal details like your address, account numbers, or family names to unknown callers.
📣 Talk openly with friends and family about this type of scam so everyone knows what to expect.

Your Voice Could Be the Turning Point

If something feels wrong—it probably is.

Scammers count on silence. They rely on embarrassment to keep you quiet. But reporting a scam doesn’t make you a victim—it makes you part of the solution.

Whether you caught the scam in time or handed over money, your story can help catch criminals, protect others, and recover losses.

📢 What To Do If You’ve Been Targeted

If you're over 60 or helping a loved one navigate fraud, take action right away:

• 📞 Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline:
  1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)

• 💻 Report it online at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center:
  www.ic3.gov

• 🚔 Contact your local police department, even if the scam didn’t succeed.

What to Include in Your Report:

✅ The phone number or name used
✅ What was said during the call
✅ Any transfers or payments made
✅ Screenshots or receipts, if available

Stay safe, stay aware—and share this story. You could be the reason someone else doesn’t fall for the same lie.