The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged two people with fraud related to a grandparent scam investigation.
The Huronia West OPP detachment, which covers Wasaga Beach, Clearview and Springwater, reported the arrests came as a result of a report of potential grandparent scam in progress last week between Feb. 22 and 24.
Police report one of the suspects identified themselves as a Newmarket police officer on the phone, telling a victim their grandson was in jail and needed money to pay for a judge and lawyer fees to get him out of jail.
The suspect visited the victim's home three times to collect money, and on the third time, Huronia West OPP answered the door.
A 24-year-old from London was charged with fraud over $5,000 and resisting a peace officer. A 25-year-old from Bowmanville was also charged with fraud over $5,000. Neither has yet faced their charges in court.
Huronia West OPP offer the following information on grandparent scams:
What is a Grandparent/Emergency Scam?
Emergency scams, including variations called "grandparent scams", use urgency and the manipulation of emotions to extort money from victims. In these scams, fraudsters cold call seniors, on landline phones, claiming to be a grandchild, family member, law enforcement officer or lawyer calling on behalf of their loved one. They will say that the person's loved one was involved in an emergency situation, such as a collision, charged by law enforcement, legal peril, being sick or injured, etc. They demand the senior provide payment immediately for supposed bail, legal fees, fines, or other amounts "owed" to stop the family member from going to jail or to get them released from custody. This is a scam.
The fraudsters isolate the victims by informing them that there is a court-imposed gag order, and they are forbidden from discussing the matter. The victims are directed to attend their financial institution to withdraw the requested amount in cash. The fraudsters will then send someone to pick it up from the victim's home or have the victim send the money via courier services. There have also been reports of victims paying with cryptocurrency.
Warning Signs - How to protect yourself.
• If you receive a suspicious phone call claiming to be from a family member in an emergency, hang up the phone and contact them directly on the number you have in your contact list.
• If the caller claims to be a law enforcement official and asked you to pay a fine or bail, hang up and call your police directly. A Police Officer will never call you and ask for money.
• Listen to that inner voice that is screaming at you: "This doesn't sound right".
• Be careful what you post online. Scammers can use details shared on social media platforms and dating sites for targeting purposes. Suspects can easily gather names and details about your loved ones.
• Be suspicious of telephone calls that require you to immediately take action and request bail money for a family member in distress.
• Be careful with caller ID numbers that look familiar. Scammers use technology to disguise the actual number they are calling from (spoof) and make it appear as a trusted phone number.
• If you receive an email or text message claiming to be from a friend or loved one asking for money, make the outgoing call to the person by looking up the legitimate phone number you have for them in your contact list.
• Use unique and strong passwords for all social media and email accounts.
If you know a grandparent, please reach out to them, and have a conversation on what to do if they get a phone call like this.
YouTube:
English - Grandparent Scam Video
French - Grandparent Scam Video
Twitter:
Twitter - Grandparent scam tips
Facebook:
Facebook - Grandparent scam tips
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If not a victim, report it to the CAFC anyway at Report fraud and cybercrime (antifraudcentre-
The Huronia West OPP is committed to serving our province, including the Town of Wasaga Beach and the Townships of Springwater and Clearview. If you have any information about crime in our community, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, and you will remain anonymous. You will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.
