10 'grandparent scam' incidents under investigation in Essex County: OPP
Essex County OPP are warning residents as they investigate 10 reported incidents of a “grandparent scam” in the region.
On Tuesday June 21, around 2:34 p.m., the OPP Tecumseh Detachment investigated a fraud after being called to a Tecumseh address.
Police say it was determined that a resident received a phone call, a man identified himself as a lawyer currently representing their grandson who was just arrested for impaired driving. This lawyer provided case file and confirmation number to make the call sound more legitimate.
The victim was advised that his grandson was going to be held in front of a judge if he could not make bail and he would require $9300 in cash today and his grandson would be released and driven home.
"The OPP is reminding all Essex County residents to be extremely vigilant and to be alert for unsolicited calls or visitors that arrive at your residence. If anyone should receive a call in this manner, please contact your immediate family and inquire if anyone needs assistance. Please do not forward any funds without speaking to family members first and report it to the police," says Essex County OPP Insp. Angela Ferguson.
Since the original complaint of fraud was received, Essex County OPP is now investigating 10 incidents across Essex County that are very similar in nature that investigators believe they are all connected.
Police say all of these incidents have targeted seniors who have received phone calls advising them that a grandchild is in trouble and that a "representative" would attend their home to collect the money.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1 - 888 - 310 - 1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1 - 800 - 222 - 8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Closing arguments heard in trial for Sask. dad accused of abducting daughter
Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning in the case of Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter in 2021 to keep her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.