Police warn of 'grandparent scheme' targeting elderly women in Ontario has resurfaced
Two elderly Ontario women have been scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars in an elaborate phone scheme that has resurfaced in the last week, police say. A third woman was also contacted, but fortunately, no money was taken.
All three situations involved similar circumstances:
- Male caller claimed to be a police officer
- Elderly females living in rural areas targeted
- Bail money needed for "grandson" who has been arrested after police found drugs in the vehicle they were passengers in while on their way to get a COVID-19 test
- "Grandsons" talk to their grandmothers in a congested voice
- "Couriers" are sent to pick up the money
- Women are told to tell the bank that the money is needed for renovations
Police will never demand money to have someone who has been arrested released from custody, to pay a fine, or involve a courier company to pick up payment.
The two recent victims both lived alone, one was 73 years old and the other was 84.
In one case, the 84-year-old was duped out of $22,000. She received a call from a man claiming to be "Corporal Matheson" who said her grandson had been arrested after a minor car crash with his friend and drugs were found in the car.
"In order for him to be released, she had to provide $10,000 in cash. The female spoke to her grandson who told her he was sick and was on his way for a COVID-19 test when the accident occurred explaining why he was stuffed up. The female provided the money which was picked up by a courier," provincial police said in a news release Thursday. "The 'officer' called back the following day and informed her the charges were dropped but she would have to pay $12,000 for his fine. She did as instructed and a courier picked up the money."
The other woman was scammed out of $15,000 after someone claiming to be her grandson called her and said he had been arrested in the same situation.
"The female requested to speak to the officer and a male identified himself as 'Constable Johnston'. She was directed to withdraw $6,000.00 for bail which she did and was picked up by a courier. The following day the 'officer' told her an additional $9,000.00 would be required for the charges being dropped. The victim again obliged," police said.
When the third woman was contacted, the man claiming to be a police officer also used the name 'Corporal Matheson.' She told police that when she talked to the person pretending to be her grandson, he "sounded like him but was sick." He also claimed to be on his way for a COVID-19 test.
"She was directed to withdraw $8,000 and leave it under her doormat and a courier would pick it up," police said. "The 'officer' called for better directions to her house at which time she said she was phoning her granddad and the male hung up the phone. Money was not picked up."
If you or someone you know suspects to have been the victim of a scam, contact police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Angst and calls for resting places as Surrey, B.C., pet cemetery development continues
A single headstone is all that remains of dozens of markers for long-buried pets in a subdivision in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood, where a half-acre parcel bears a large sign announcing the proposed construction of new homes.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.