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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Federal prosecutors in Vermont say 25 Canadian nationals were charged in an alleged grandparent scam that targeted elderly people in Vermont and more than 40 other states. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says the alleged scheme caused losses exceeding US$21 million. The charges are allegations, not convictions; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
What the indictment alleges
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, a federal grand jury returned the indictment on February 20, 2025. The DOJ announced it on March 4, 2025, identifying the matter as United States v. Gareth West, et al. Prosecutors allege the conduct ran from about summer 2021 through June 4, 2024, and affected elderly victims in Vermont and more than 40 other states.
The DOJ attributes an alleged loss exceeding US$21 million to the conspiracy. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher said: “These individuals are accused of an elaborate scheme using fear to extort millions of dollars from victims who believed they were helping loved ones in trouble.”
How the alleged grandparent scam worked
A grandparent scam uses an urgent, fabricated emergency involving a relative to pressure someone into sending money. In this case, prosecutors say callers claimed a relative—usually a grandchild—had been arrested after a car crash and needed bail money. Some callers allegedly posed as attorneys for the relative. Victims were sometimes told a gag order prevented them from talking about the supposed arrest.
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The initial call allegedly created fear and urgency, while a caller posing as the relative or the relative’s attorney reinforced the claim that money was needed for bail. These roles are described in the indictment and DOJ announcement as alleged conduct.
Purported bail bondsman
The DOJ says a person falsely posing as a bail bondsman allegedly went to victims’ homes to collect cash. Prosecutors allege that money was later transferred to Canada through cash deliveries and financial transactions, sometimes involving cryptocurrency.
What prosecutors say happened at the call centres
The DOJ says Canadian law enforcement executed search warrants at several call centres on June 4, 2024. Some defendants were allegedly found placing calls to elderly victims in Virginia. The indictment also charges five named alleged call-centre managers with money-laundering conspiracy, in addition to the other charges. The allegations about each person’s role remain allegations unless proven in court.
What is known about the case’s status
The DOJ’s March 2025 announcement emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. A later DOJ update says Jimmy Ylimaki made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on March 24, 2026, pleaded not guilty, and was ordered detained pending trial. That update concerns one defendant; it does not establish the outcome or procedural position of all 25. The available case information does not establish a final disposition for every defendant.
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The March 2025 DOJ announcement lists the free National Elder Fraud Hotline, 833-FRAUD-11, for people reporting fraud against anyone age 60 or older. The contact details and eligibility information here reflect that announcement; confirm them with the DOJ before relying on them for a later report.
Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, March 4, 2025 announcement; DOJ case page; DOJ update on Jimmy Ylimaki’s initial appearance.
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