Canadian who ran grandparents scam sentenced in L.A. to 5 years

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A Canadian man who scammed money from people by convincing them their grandchildren were in danger overseas has been sentenced in Los Angeles to five years in federal prison.

City News Service says Pascal Goyer was sentenced for wire fraud. At the time of his arrest in October 2012, the FBI said his last known residence was Montreal.

Goyer is one of about a half-dozen people charged with running a scheme in which grandparents in southern California were contacted and told their grandchildren or other relatives were in trouble overseas.

The victims were told to send money for such things as bail or car accident repairs.

Prosecutors say victims in six cities sent wire transfers for $1,000 to $3,000 — and the money went to the scammers.

Four co-defendants remain in Canada and authorities are seeking their extradition.

— with files from The Canadian Press