Alleged Grandparent Scammers Nabbed Upalong, Mirrors NL Case

Police in Quebec and Ontario have arrested 14 alleged members of a gang in Montreal after 126 Canadians lost nearly one-million-dollars in a grandparent scam.

The culprits posed as judges, lawyers and police officers who tricked innocent, elderly and naive victims into giving them money to help loved ones said to be in trouble with the law.

The victims ranged in age from 46 to 95 years old.

Police have recovered about $500,000 but believe there are more victims who've lost thousands more since many such incidents go under-reported.

A similar case continues to make its way through the courts in this province.

Charles Gillen is shown in provincial court shortly after his arrest last year. (VOCM News)

It's alleged 25-year-old Charles Gillen flew to St. John's this time last year to collect money from people, mostly nans and pops taken in by the fake sob stories.

He faces 46 charges including multiple counts of fraud and extortion.

Ironically, he was bailed out by his own grandmother, who lives in Winnipeg, and is staying with her there, while his case continues here.

Gillen is expected to enter pleas to the charges on May 15th.