Massive Cross-Border Fraud Bust: 10 West Islanders Among 23 Arrested in $31M Scam

Canadian fraudsters have been accused of targeting seniors in the United States, stealing more than $31 million USD through a grandparent scam.

In a massive joint operation last Tuesday, police arrested 23 people — 10 from the West Island — all facing U.S. extradition. The arrests, carried out by over 100 officers from the RCMP, Sûreté du Québec, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, took place in Montreal, Laval, St. Eustache, Pointe Claire, DDO, Deux Montagnes, Île Perrot, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Les Coteaux, and Burlington, Ontario.

The suspects are alleged to have posed as grandchildren in distress, claiming they needed bail money after a fake car accident. They then sent an accomplice to collect cash directly from victims. Three call centres on the West Island — two in Pointe Claire and one in Vaudreuil — were allegedly used to carry out the scheme.

Funds were routed through Chicago or New York before being moved back to Canada via cash, financial transactions, or cryptocurrency. The alleged crimes happened between summer 2021 and June 2024.

Charges include fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering — offences that could lead to 20 to 40 years in prison.