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- calendar_today October 11, 2026
Moncton Resident Sentenced for Grandparent Scam in U.S.
Paul Conneh, a 39-year-old man from Moncton, New Brunswick, has been sentenced in Vermont to 33 months in a U.S. prison for his involvement in a 'grandparent scam' that defrauded approximately 20 elderly Americans in 2023. In addition to his prison sentence, Conneh has been ordered by a U.S. District judge to pay $256,000 in restitution to his victims.
Plea and Charges
Conneh pleaded guilty in May 2026 to conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to launder monetary instruments. His guilty plea was part of an investigation led by the U.S. Attorney's Office for Vermont. The case highlights the dangers of financial fraud targeting seniors, which can have significant emotional and financial impacts on victims.
Details of the Grandparent Scam Scheme
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the scam operated over a three-week period from July to August 2023. Grandparent scams target elderly individuals by having fraudsters pose as distressed relatives in urgent need of financial help. Conneh's role involved recruiting bail bondsmen to travel into the United States, launder the money collected from senior victims, and distribute the proceeds to other co-conspirators. About 20 seniors were defrauded through these actions.
Arrest and Extradition
Following the scheme, Conneh was arrested in Costa Rica in January 2025. He was subsequently extradited to the United States to face charges relating to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies. The extradited arrest and eventual sentencing underscore the reach of law enforcement efforts to bring perpetrators of international financial fraud to justice.
Restitution and Sentencing
As part of his sentence, Conneh was ordered to pay $256,000 in restitution to the senior victims who suffered losses from the scam. Restitution payments are designed to help compensate those who were financially harmed. The 33-month U.S. prison sentence also reflects the seriousness with which courts treat fraud conspiracies and money laundering involving vulnerable populations.
Context and Ongoing Concerns
The case against Paul Conneh reflects broader concerns about elderly scams and the rise of financial fraud schemes that specifically target senior victims. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate and prosecute those involved in such crimes, seeking to protect vulnerable individuals and uphold justice across international boundaries.
Source: cbc.ca.
