Windsor police are warning of a fraud scam involving phone calls from relatives in Europe claiming that they are in Canada and require money for various emergencies.
The financial crimes unit investigation has shown that some of the information being used is gleaned off of social websites like Facebook. Police say scammers would talk about other family members, birthdays, trips and photos they had seen, based on information from a grandkid’s Facebook page.
Windsor families were defrauded of over $20,000 in two cases in February, say police. In both cases the suspects acted as close family members asking for money for vehicle purchases.
The callers tend to target grandparents of the names and information they have, according to police. In some cases the victims have kept large quantities of cash at their residence and in others were convinced to attend their bank and withdraw the money.
Police say scammers actually attending the victim’s house to pick up the money because people are much more conscious about wiring money.
The suspect in both Windsor cases is described as being of East Indian or Pakistani descent, 30 years old, 5’10” with a thin build. He was well dressed and wearing a dress style hat. He had a briefcase and a silver car.
Anyone having any information with regards to the specific two incidents mentioned is asked to contact the Windsor police Financial Crime Unit at 519-255-6700 x 4330 or contact Crime Stoppers at (519)-258-TIPS (8477).
