Grandparent bilked out of money in Chatham-Kent scam
Crime Stoppers Report: Grandparent Scam
Chatham-Kent police are warning the public after a grandparent scam in the region.
Officers responded to a fraud complaint in Howard Township this week.
Through investigation, police say they learned the victim received a call from someone posing as their grandson. The “grandson” advised he and his friends were stopped by the police while driving, and the officer arrested him after a gun and drugs were found in the car.
The “grandson” asked the victim for a significate amount of money to bail him out of jail. The victim was also told there was a “gag order” in place, which prohibited them from telling anyone about the incident.
The victim wired the money to the “grandson”, but police say it didn’t stop there. The “grandson” continued to contact the victim with other stories and requests for more money. The Chatham-Kent Police are currently investigating the matter.
The Chatham-Kent Police Services would like to remind the public to use caution if they receive a phone call from people claiming to be a family member (grandchild) in trouble and requiring money. Please review the tips and Things to know about the Canadian Criminal Justice System below. Fraudsters will use panic, threatening language, or an aggressive tone to scare you into making payments. Please don’t do it. Call someone for advice.
Tips to keep yourself safe:
- 1. Take time to think. The fraudster will make it sound urgent to pressure you.
- 2. Contact the family member in question. Emotions might be running high but take the time to check.
- 3. Ask questions only family members would know.
- 4. Call someone you trust or the police for an opinion about the call (fraudsters will say they don’t want anyone to know because they are embarrassed or there’s a gag order in place).
- 5. Do not send any money.
Things to know about the Canadian Criminal Justice System:
- 1. Police Services hold people for bail for very particular reasons, and very seldom does it require a deposit of money. If a deposit is needed for bail, it will be through the court system. The exchange will ONLY occur at the courthouse.
- 2. Police Services and the Ontario Court of Justice will NEVER attend your home or send a courier to retrieve money from you.
- 3. Police Services and the Ontario Court of Justice will NEVER ask you for gift cards as payment.
If you live in Chatham-Kent and believe you or someone you know has been a victim of this scam, please call 519-352-1234.
For more information on how to recognize and protect yourself from a scam, please see https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/security/protect-yourself-against-fraud.html.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It was a nightmare': 2 children dead, driver charged after city bus crashes into Laval daycare
Two four-year-old children are dead and a man has been charged with first-degree murder after a driver crashed a city bus into a daycare in Laval, Que. Wednesday morning. The driver, 51-year-old Pierre Ny St-Amand, was arrested at the scene and faces two counts of first-degree murder and several other charges.
New one-and-done therapy can help curb severe COVID-19 infection: Canadian-led study
A Canadian-led study of a new potential antiviral therapy shows a single dose can help cut the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Sister shields sibling from dust during 36-hour wait for help after quake
Two children wedged between concrete in the remains of their home in northern Syria have been rescued more than 36 hours after Monday's quake trapped their family as they slept.
'I've stopped crying': B.C. woman who lost 6 family members in Turkiye earthquakes sets sights on how to help rebuild
Like many other Turkish-Canadians Nural Sumbultepe is grieving the family members she lost in the earthquakes from thousands of miles away, and trying to find the best way to support the survivors and relief efforts.
Trust in governments shows signs of life as pandemic starts to fade
An annual survey on how trusting Canadians are suggests their faith in governments is rebounding as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to fade.
SpaceX should choose between Ukraine and Russia: Ukrainian official
Elon Musk's SpaceX should choose sides between Ukraine and Russia, a senior Ukrainian official said on Thursday, after the company said it was curbing Kyiv's use of Starlink internet devices for controlling drones.
4 dead after fire leaves Quebec home 'completely destroyed': police
Four people are dead after a fire destroyed a residence in Sainte-Julienne, in Quebec’s Lanaudiere region, early Thursday morning.
North Korea nuclear arsenal in parade attended by Kim Jong Un's daughter
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his young daughter took centre stage at a huge military parade, fuelling speculation that she is being primed as a future leader of the isolated country as her father showed off his latest, largest nuclear missiles.
opinion
opinion | Before you do your taxes, take note of these tax credits and deductions you may not have known about
Many Canadians are experiencing strains caused by the increased cost of living and inflation. In his exclusive column for CTVNews.ca, contributor Christopher Liew shares some of the top credits and deductions that you may be able to claim on your income tax return to help you save money.
Kitchener
-
'It’s horrific': Community honours Karen Cunningham after Woodstock police call her death suspicious
A memorial has been set up in the area where 30-year-old Karen Cunningham’s body was found, as police in Woodstock continue to investigate her death as “suspicious” in nature.
-
UPDATED
UPDATED | Storm Watch: Tracking closures and cancellations
Severe weather has prompted a number of road closures, cancellations and delays in our coverage area.
-
Freezing rain warning in effect for Waterloo-Wellington
Waterloo region and Wellington County can expect a mix of cold, wet, and windy conditions on Thursday.
London
-
Special weather statement in effect for London, Ont.
A special weather statement is in effect for the London, Ont. region and neighbouring counties as heavy rains and strong winds are forecasted to begin overnight Wednesday and into Thursday.
-
Impaired driver blows twice the legal limit after traffic complaints: OPP
Lambton OPP say a St. Clair Township man has been charged with impaired driving following several traffic complaints.
-
Ontario legislature eyes full shutdown for major renovations; likely to cost over $1B
The 'hazardous and severely deficient' infrastructure at the Ontario legislature has members and officials eyeing a full decommissioning of the building for large-scale renovations and moving the business of governing elsewhere for about eight years.
Barrie
-
Freezing rain warning from Environment Canada
Slippery road and sidewalk conditions are forecasted for Thursday morning.
-
School bus cancellations by board
See current school bus cancellations by school board from across the region.
-
Barrie budget deliberations continue Thursday
City councillors approved an amendment to cancel the newly created stormwater climate action fund, saying now was not the time to invest in the new program.
Northern Ontario
-
Ontario woman says $10K cosmetic eye procedure 'destroyed' her life
Tracey Hassell of Georgetown, Ont. said her life’s biggest regret is getting cosmetic eye surgery three years ago, which she got because she was starting to notice bags under her eyes.
-
Former Sudbury police officer charged with sexual assault, exploitation
In a case that dates to 2007, Wayne Foster, a former police officer in Sudbury, has been charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual exploitation.
-
Ontario grocery chain that went viral for low prices reveals how they keep costs down
An Ontario grocery chain said they are seeing an “unprecedented” surge in customers after a recent TikTok revealing the company’s low food prices went viral.
Ottawa
-
Cannabis company Canopy Growth to lay off 800, close and consolidate some facilities
Canopy Growth Corp. will lay off 800 workers as part of a transformation plan that will see the company close its hallmark 1 Hershey facility and consolidate some of its cultivation operations.
-
School bus cancellations in Ottawa and the region due to incoming freezing rain
All school buses have been cancelled in Ottawa and eastern Ontario Thursday ahead of freezing rain this afternoon.
-
FREEZING RAIN WARNING
FREEZING RAIN WARNING | Freezing rain to hit Ottawa Thursday afternoon
Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for Ottawa, saying a prolonged period of freezing rain will begin Thursday afternoon.
Toronto
-
Ontario legislature eyes full shutdown for major renovations; likely to cost over $1B
The 'hazardous and severely deficient' infrastructure at the Ontario legislature has members and officials eyeing a full decommissioning of the building for large-scale renovations and moving the business of governing elsewhere for about eight years.
-
'I have asthma by the way:' Driver in York Region charged after repeatedly refusing to give breath sample
A man has been charged after failing to give a breath sample nine times when pulled over for a traffic stop.
-
Two people taken to hospital after apartment fire in Leslieville
Two men have been taken to the hospital with serious injuries following an overnight fire at an apartment building in Leslieville.
Montreal
-
'It was a nightmare': 2 children dead, driver charged after city bus crashes into Laval daycare
Two four-year-old children are dead and a man has been charged with first-degree murder after a driver crashed a city bus into a daycare in Laval, Que. Wednesday morning. The driver, 51-year-old Pierre Ny St-Amand, was arrested at the scene and faces two counts of first-degree murder and several other charges.
-
4 dead after fire leaves Quebec home 'completely destroyed': police
Four people are dead after a fire destroyed a residence in Sainte-Julienne, in Quebec’s Lanaudiere region, early Thursday morning.
-
How to talk to your kids about about the Laval bus crash tragedy
Many people were upset by the events, particularly because of the age of the young victims. Children may be asking their parents questions about the incident. 'When such a tragedy occurs, it is essential to establish a dialogue with your child quickly if he or she feels the need to do so, said one expert.
Atlantic
-
Patients involved in N.S. mass shooting among those caught up in major privacy breach
Nova Scotia Health is under the microscope after eight employees were found snooping into medical records. The privacy breaches involve the electronic health records of people associated with the April 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia, among others.
-
Crown alleges former Halifax medical student dismembered body of fellow student
There was drama in a Halifax courtroom Wednesday as a Crown prosecutor tried to poke holes in the alibi of a former medical student who is claiming self-defence in the shooting death of another student during a drug deal.
-
Health-care care package: Maritime provinces still digesting details of Ottawa's funding announcement
The number-crunching continues a day after the premiers sat-down with the prime minister to talk about health-care funding.
Winnipeg
-
Property tax and fee increases part of Winnipeg's proposed budget for 2023
For the first time with Mayor Scott Gillingham at the helm of Winnipeg City Hall, a new proposed budget has been tabled for 2023.
-
Plan to redevelop U of M-owned golf course into urban community gets green light
A plan to transform a former golf course owned by the University of Manitoba into a complete urban community has cleared its first hurdles.
-
Manitoba plans to revive provincewide Grade 12 testing of English and math
The Manitoba government is planning to bring back provincewide Grade 12 tests in English and math starting next year.
Calgary
-
Premier Smith to deliver update on Just Transition talks, federal health deal
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to meet with reporters for the first time in a month today, with questions expected on health care, Crown prosecutors and perhaps her now-viral limp handshake with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
-
Woman, children injured in northwest Calgary crash
A woman sustained critical injuries and two children were also hurt in a crash at a northwest Calgary intersection Wednesday evening.
-
Carbon capture too expensive, takes too long to build: Report
By betting it can solve its emissions problem with carbon capture and storage, Canada's oil and gas industry risks saddling itself with expensive stranded assets, a new report argues.
Edmonton
-
Premier Smith to deliver update on Just Transition talks, federal health deal
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to meet with reporters for the first time in a month today, with questions expected on health care, Crown prosecutors and perhaps her now-viral limp handshake with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
-
Cartmell town hall fields questions, frustrations with Edmonton's snow removal strategy
A city councillor says he's heard Edmontonians' concerns about this year's snow removal 'loud and clear,' especially when it comes to improving communication about neighbourhood blading.
-
Girl kidnapped from Edmonton street, sexually assaulted in nearby apartment: police
A man has been charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a girl and Edmonton police believe there may be more victims.
Vancouver
-
'I've stopped crying': B.C. woman who lost 6 family members in Turkiye earthquakes sets sights on how to help rebuild
Like many other Turkish-Canadians Nural Sumbultepe is grieving the family members she lost in the earthquakes from thousands of miles away, and trying to find the best way to support the survivors and relief efforts.
-
B.C. watchdog investigating death of off-duty police officer in Langley
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been called to Langley to probe the death of an off-duty police officer Wednesday afternoon.
-
Artist working to revitalize back alleys in Burnaby
Back alleys are typically seen as dark and dangerous areas but the City of Burnaby is hoping a local artist can help change that perception – one can of spray paint at a time.