Jimmy Ylimaki, wanted in a multimillion-dollar grandparent scam, arrested in Nicaragua and extradited to the U.S. to face up to 20 years in prison.
Montreal Man Caught After Year on the Run
After more than a year in hiding, Jimmy Ylimaki, 36, has been arrested in Nicaragua in connection with a massive grandparent scam that allegedly bilked American seniors out of $30 million. Authorities confirmed Ylimaki’s extradition to the U.S., where he now faces up to 20 years behind bars.
Ylimaki, linked to the alleged scam mastermind Gareth West, is accused of posing as a lawyer to trick victims into sending money. Court documents describe him as an “attorney” who used elaborate tactics to make the scheme seem legitimate.
The Scam That Shook North America
The alleged Montreal-based network reportedly targeted hundreds of elderly Americans. Gareth West, who presented himself as a wealthy real estate mogul, was identified as the head of the operation. A CBC investigation in June 2025 uncovered the group’s lavish lifestyle, funded by the scam.
When charges were first filed in March 2025, two dozen suspects were arrested in the Montreal area. However, both West and Ylimaki evaded authorities. West was later captured at an Airbnb in Saint-Colomban, Quebec, in July 2025, leaving Ylimaki as the only fugitive.
A Trail Across Central America
Sources tracking Ylimaki revealed he initially fled to Costa Rica, sharing glimpses of his life on social media. After West’s arrest, Ylimaki reportedly relocated to Nicaragua, where authorities eventually apprehended him.
Grandparent scams are sophisticated cons in which scammers impersonate grandchildren or officials, claiming the elder is in legal or financial trouble and requesting urgent payments. Ylimaki’s alleged involvement included coordinating calls, sending coded messages, and celebrating “successful deals” with accomplices.
Inside the Investigation
Quebec provincial police raided a Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, home in June 2024, suspected to be the operation’s headquarters. Ylimaki was reportedly placing calls to potential victims just moments before the police entered. Police documents indicate he went by the codename “Coop” and used multiple phones to coordinate the scam.
One text message cited in court filings allegedly shows Ylimaki sharing a New Jersey victim’s address with the note: “$19,000 with toast, home with cash.” Such messages were typical of the coded communications used across the network.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Ylimaki appeared in a Vermont court on Wednesday, pleading not guilty. While he awaits trial, other alleged members of the network are fighting their U.S. extradition, which is still in progress.
The allegations against Ylimaki remain untested in court, but the arrest marks the end of a year-long manhunt and a major step in unraveling what authorities call one of the largest grandparent scams in North American history.
