Shocking Scam: How 25 Canadians Stole $21 Million from Vulnerable Retirees
Federal prosecutors have unveiled a sophisticated criminal operation involving 25 Canadian suspects who allegedly defrauded hundreds of U.S. retirees out of $21 million through an elaborate "grandparent scam" originating in Montreal, Quebec. The federal indictment, unsealed on Tuesday, details a complex scheme targeting elderly Americans across 40 states. According to the U.S. attorney for Vermont, the operation employed advanced technological tactics to deceive victims into believing their grandchildren were in serious legal trouble. The scam's modus operandi involved cold callers who would contact potential victims with a fabricated narrative. Scammers would claim a grandchild had been involved in a vehicle collision and arrested, urging immediate financial assistance. To enhance the illusion, victims were told a strict gag order prohibited them from discussing the situation with anyone. Thomas Demeo, special agent of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division's Boston field office, described […]
