Moncton man gets prison time in U.S. for participating in 'grandparent scam'

Moncton man gets prison time in U.S. for participating in 'grandparent scam'

Paul Conneh was extradited from Costa Rica and ordered to pay $256,000 to victims defrauded in 2023

A New Brunswick man has been sentenced to 33 months in a United States prison for participating in a "grandparent scam."

A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for Vermont says Paul Conneh, 39, of Moncton, N.B., pleaded guilty in May to conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to launder monetary instruments.

In grandparent scams, fraudsters typically pose as relatives in distress to trick seniors into sending money.

Prosecutors said Conneh recruited bail bondsmen to travel to the United States, launder money taken from American seniors, and distribute it to co-conspirators.

The scheme involved about 20 victims during a three-week period from July to August 2023, according to the release.

Conneh was arrested in Costa Rica in January 2025 and extradited to the United States.

A U.S. District judge also ordered Conneh to pay $256,000 in restitution to the victims.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2026.