July 4,2025
RED FM News Desk
Gareth West, suspected of leading a grandparent scam network that defrauded American seniors out of $30 million, has been arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Quebec. The arrest was made on behalf of U.S. authorities, who have charged him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Investigators claim West headed a sophisticated and highly profitable scam operation based out of multiple call centres in the Montreal area, employing dozens of people. While allegedly running the scam, West maintained the appearance of a successful real estate developer.
Last year, police raided several locations in and around Montreal where West’s employees were reportedly making fraudulent calls targeting elderly victims in Virginia, according to a U.S. court indictment.
In March, RCMP arrested 23 individuals linked to the scheme, but West managed to avoid capture. A confidential source revealed that West had been staying at a home in Burlington, Ontario, at the time. However, he wasn’t at the main residence—which was under renovation—when police arrived. He had been living in a nearby rental but had already fled by the time authorities found it.
One other suspected member of the network, Jimmy Ylimaki, remains at large.
If extradited to the United States and found guilty, West could face up to 40 years in prison. He is scheduled to appear in Quebec Superior Court on Saturday.
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