The 'Bail Bondsmen' Were Couriers: Canadian Man Sentenced for Role in Grandparent Scam That Hit 20 Elderly Americans

Published Oct. 12, 2026. Case statuses are current as of that date.

The grandparent scam usually starts with a frightened voice on the phone: a grandchild has been arrested and needs bail money, right now, and please don't tell anyone. The next step is often a stranger at the door to collect the cash. Federal prosecutors say a New Brunswick man's job was to supply those strangers.

On Oct. 6, 2026, Paul Conneh, 39, of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III in Burlington, Vermont, to 33 months in prison for his role in a grandparent scam. He was also ordered to pay $256,000 in restitution [1][2].

Note on status: Conneh pleaded guilty and has been sentenced. His co-conspirators are not named in the government's announcement, and no victims are named here.

How the scheme worked

In a grandparent scam, "con artists call older people, pretending to be their children or grandchildren" and beg them to send money right away, often claiming to be in some kind of distress, WPTZ reported, citing the Justice Department's definition [3].

According to court records described by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont [1]:

1. Recruiting "bail bondsmen." Conneh recruited people to act as "bail bondsmen" and travel to the United States.
2. Collecting the money. Those recruits collected money from elderly Americans [3].
3. Laundering and distribution. Conneh laundered the money taken from victims and distributed it to co-conspirators.
4. Speed and scale. Prosecutors say Conneh took part for three weeks in July and August 2023, and in that time about 20 elderly Americans were victimized.

The "bail bondsman" role is what makes this version of the scam work. A real bail bondsman does not show up at a grandparent's house to collect a bag of cash, but a frightened person who has been told that a grandchild is in jail may not stop to question it.

From Costa Rica to Vermont

Conneh was arrested in Costa Rica on Jan. 23, 2025, at the request of the United States, and extradited in December 2025 [1]. On May 28, 2026, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to launder monetary instruments [1].

The investigation involved Vermont-based agents from Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and IRS Criminal Investigation, with help from HSI in Panama, Interpol, the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica and Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department [1].

The person sentenced

Paul Conneh, 39, of Moncton, New Brunswick [1][2]

• Guilty plea (May 28, 2026): conspiracy to commit wire fraud; conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
• Sentence (Oct. 6, 2026): 33 months in prison; $256,000 in restitution
• Court: U.S. District Court, District of Vermont (Burlington)
• Prosecutors: Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nate Burris and Michelle Arra. Conneh was represented by Chandler Matson.

Red flags of a grandparent or "bail" scam

• An urgent call from a grandchild or other relative who says they've been arrested or hurt, often crying or with a "bad connection" that hides their voice.
• A second caller posing as a lawyer, police officer, or court official who confirms the story.
• A demand for secrecy: "Don't tell Mom and Dad."
• Cash only, handed to a "bail bondsman," courier, or driver, or sent by overnight mail.
• Bail paid at your front door. Real bail is not collected that way.

What to do if you get the call

1. Hang up and call your relative directly on a number you already have. Then call their parents or another family member.
2. Ask a question only the real person would know, or use a family code word agreed in advance.
3. Never hand cash to a courier or mail cash to anyone claiming to be a bondsman, lawyer or court officer.
4. If you've already paid, call your local police right away; couriers sometimes come back for more.
5. Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Adults 60 and older can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. In Canada, report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Case status (as of Oct. 12, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status as of Oct. 12, 2026	Source
Paul Conneh, 39, Moncton, N.B., Canada	U.S. District Court, District of Vermont	Pleaded guilty May 28, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments; sentenced Oct. 6, 2026, to 33 months in prison and $256,000 restitution	[1], [2], [3]

Statuses can change. Sentences can be appealed.

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Vermont, "Canadian Man Sentenced to Prison for Participation in Grandparent Scam," Oct. 9, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/canadian-man-sentenced-prison-participation-grandparent-scam
2. The Canadian Press via CBC News, "Moncton man gets prison time in U.S. for participating in 'grandparent scam,'" Oct. 11, 2026. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-grandparent-scam-9.7377484
3. WPTZ NBC5, "Man sentenced in Vermont for participation in grandparent scam," October 2026 (accessed Oct. 12, 2026). https://www.mynbc5.com/article/vermont-sentencing-grandparent-scam/74092870

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