A Montreal man accused of targeting elderly Americans through an elaborate grandparent scam network has pleaded guilty in a US court, months after being arrested in Nicaragua following a year on the run.
Jimmy Ylimaki changed his plea on October 19, admitting to conspiracy to commit fraud. He was initially charged with the offence but had pleaded not guilty. His sentencing is scheduled for January, and he faces a maximum prison term of 20 years.
According to US prosecutors, the network allegedly defrauded victims of tens of millions of dollars. Ylimaki worked as a “closer,” posing as a lawyer representing a victim’s relative and convincing elderly people that they needed to pay substantial sums to secure their family member’s release from jail.
Over a 67-week period during the alleged three-year conspiracy, Ylimaki received more than $367,000, according to a court filing by US Assistant District Attorney Nathanael Burris.
Investigators linked Ylimaki to alleged scam call centres operating in the Montreal area. During police raids in June 2024, he was reportedly found making calls to American seniors before hiding in a downstairs shower. He subsequently travelled to Costa Rica.
In March 2025, authorities arrested two dozen people in the Montreal area in connection with the alleged operation. Ylimaki and alleged network leader Gareth West initially evaded arrest. West was apprehended in Quebec in July 2025.
Fearing extradition from Costa Rica, Ylimaki reportedly moved to neighbouring Nicaragua, where he was arrested in March 2026 and transferred to the United States. Prosecutors have also noted that members of the alleged conspiracy frequently used cryptocurrency, complicating efforts to determine the full extent of their finances.
Thirty-one other defendants are facing charges in the United States and remain in Canada while contesting extradition proceedings.
