PETERBOROUGH-Peterborough County OPP intercepted $8,000 on its way to scammers using the “grandparent scam”.
On November 18, 2022, officers received information from York Regional Police (YRP) that an Otonabee-South Monaghan Township resident may have fallen victim to a “grandparent scam”.
Te victim had received a phone call on November 16 from a suspect who identified themselves as their “oldest nephew”. The suspect advised the victim that they had been involved in a motor vehicle collision, resulting in a criminal arrest, and requested the victim send $8000 to secure their bail release.
Police say on November 17, 2022, the victim attended their banking institution, withdrew $8000 in cash, and sent the money via courier to an address in the Toronto area.
With the information provided, officers were able to intercept the money and return it to the victim.
In the typical emergency scam, the victim will receive a frantic phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild or loved one. The caller will explain that they are involved in some sort of mishap like a car accident or are having trouble returning from a foreign country and need money right away. The scammer will often insist that the victim does not tell anyone. The call could also involve someone claiming to be a law enforcement official, lawyer, or bailiff.
Be careful what you post online. Scammers can use details shared on social media platforms and dating sites. They can search your online accounts to find real names, real interests, real phone numbers and when you are going to be home or away.
Be aware of some warning signs:
•   Urgency-The scammer always makes the request sound very urgent, which may cause the victim to not verify the story.
•   Fear-The scammer plays on the victim’s emotions by generating a sense of fear. For instance, they may say, “I am scared, and I need help from you.”
•   Secrecy-The scammer pleads with the victim not to tell anyone about the situation, such as, “Please don’t tell Dad, he would be so mad.”
•   Request for Money-Money can be requested by money transfer or in some cases the scammer sends someone to your home to pick up the payment.
To avoid becoming a victim, check with another family member or trusted friend to verify the information before sending money or providing credit card information by phone or e-mail.
If you believe you have become a victim of fraud, contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free) or report online at www.antifraudcentre.ca. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or report the incident online at stopcrimehere.ca.
