U.S. prosecutors have filed charges against Glen Crossley, a 56-year-old resident of Montreal who was responsible for the hit-and-run death of a Canadian Olympic gold medalist. They allege that Crossley was involved in a grandparent scam network targeting elderly Americans, which led to substantial financial losses for the victims. Crossley had a history of legal troubles, including a conviction for leaving the scene of an accident involving the Olympic swimmer Victor Davis in 1989. He also faced a manslaughter conviction in 2019 for his role in a fatal altercation at a bar.
Recently, an indictment was revealed in Vermont implicating Crossley and six others as part of the grandparent scam network, allegedly orchestrated by Gareth West posing as a luxury real estate developer. The scam reportedly defrauded numerous elderly individuals of millions of dollars. The operation involved various roles such as “openers” and “closers” in call centers in Montreal, along with individuals in the U.S. collecting money from victims. Crossley, using the alias “Buju,” allegedly served as a “closer,” impersonating law enforcement or legal professionals to coerce victims into providing funds.
The scam network targeted thousands of victims over several years, leading to significant financial losses and emotional distress. The victims recounted feeling vulnerable and ashamed due to the scam’s impact on their savings. Crossley, who had a previous conviction related to Davis’ death, refused to accept responsibility for the incident during a subsequent legal proceeding. Additional individuals charged alongside Crossley have been arrested, with extradition to Vermont requested by the U.S. government.
In a separate incident, Crossley pleaded guilty to manslaughter following an altercation that resulted in the death of a 70-year-old man in 2016. Despite his involvement in multiple criminal cases, Crossley displayed a lack of remorse and accountability. The co-defendants mentioned in the indictment, including individuals from various locations in Quebec, are currently navigating legal proceedings. One fugitive, Jimmy Ylimaki, was apprehended in Nicaragua after evading authorities for an extended period. Stefano Zanetti, another individual connected to the scam, received a significant prison sentence for his role in the fraudulent operation.