Bagman in Saskatoon grandparent scam sentenced to jail time for fraud

A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to helping defraud Saskatoon seniors is going to jail.

Earlier this year, Ahmad Ebadi admitted to his role in a fraud wave that bilked seniors concerned about their loved ones out of thousands of dollars before Christmas 2022. He came to provincialcourt Wednesday for sentencing.

Defence lawyer Logan Marchandand prosecutor Carol Carlson agreed that Ebadi should serve betweenone-and-a-half and two years, but they disagreed where the time should be served. Carlson argued for a jail sentence, while Marchand said the principles of sentencing could be satisfied with Ebadi serving his sentence in the community.

Judge Brad Mitchell opted for a one-year jail sentence and an order to pay back $74,979.45.

"The only suitable way to conveysociety's condemnation is a jail sentence," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said thatalthough Ebadi was not a "big player," he caused his victims stress and embarrassment "for only wanting to help a loved one."

• Saskatoon court hears sentencing submissions for bagman in grandparent scam

Carlson detailed how the Quebec crew came to town and went to work.

They duped seniors into thinking their loved ones were in trouble and needed money. It was a slick operation, executed using cellphones, hotel rooms, rental cars and the secure social media platform Signal.

Helen and Larry Koturbash almost fell for it. They got a call on a weekday morning from people claiming to be theirgrandson and his lawyer.

"I said to him, 'I really feel that this is a scam,' and he said, "No, ma'am, it's not scam. Give us one per cent of your trust and you'll get 99 per cent back,'" Helen said outside court after one of Ebadi'sprevious appearances.

"It's interesting that they had the same message to everybody. The story was the same. It was a pregnant woman, rear-ended, and now she was in the hospital. It sounded very believable."

The couple balked at the pitch, though, and contacted police. Officers arrested Ebadi and two others when they came to collect the cash.

Ebadi's role was to pose as a bondsman, sent to collectthe money from the seniors.

Since his arrest, Ebadisaved $10,000 towardpaying back the victims.