The Quebec Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested Gareth West, who is said to be the mastermind of a colossal ‘grandparent scam’ operation that spanned the US-Canada border.
He currently has charges pending in the US for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, police reports to CBC reported. Here’s a better look at who he is.
Who is Gareth West?
Police have labeled Gareth West as the mastermind behind this sophisticated network of scams. According to CBC, US authorities disclosed he planned a large-scale scheme that fooled old people in 46 states into sending money by leading them to think their grandchildren needed help.
West used individuals who called elders, impersonating grandchildren who were injured or arrested and needed money for bail in a hurry. Victims were told to keep quiet and not discuss the information. Then, scammers would connect them with phony lawyers or agents and organize cash pickups—on occasion utilizing ride-share drivers or couriers.
Successful Businessman Façade
Publicly, West kept up the facade of a successful Montreal-based real estate tycoon. Authorities indicated he financed the ill-gotten gains with luxury cars, upscale homes, and expensive vacations.
Only last month, the CBC reported police tried to arrest him in March at a home in Burlington, Ont., but found the property under construction. West had been in temporary residence nearby and escaped before police reached the scene.
Before this, the RCMP, together with US Homeland Security, the IRS, and police in the area, arrested 23 other individuals linked to the case. West and one accomplice, Jimmy Ylimaki, however, had been evading capture.
A $30 Million Fraud
US authorities estimate that this scam bilked more than $30 million out of old victims. West faces up to 40 years in prison if he is convicted in the US. According to an Economic Times report, he will appear before a Quebec judge on Saturday, which may initiate the extradition process.
At the same time, authorities and senior advocacy groups are calling on people to remain alert. They say that if a person receives an unsolicited call saying they need money and that a relative is in difficulty, the best thing to do is hang up, check with family, and report the matter right away.
