From May 11 to 25, the SPVG received approximately fifteen complaints in connection with a fraudulent scheme targeting grandparents. In fourteen of these cases, citizens were defrauded of several thousand dollars, we found out in a press release.
In nearly two weeks, the scammers obtained between $ 4,000 and $ 10,000 from about fifteen adults. The victims of these scams are between 60 and 94 years old.
This type of fraud is not new, according to public relations officer for the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG), Andrée East. It’s circular, it’s returninghe explained
The fraudsters work as a team, explains SPVG.
First, one of them will contact the victim. He will pretend to be his grandson and indicate that he was involved in a traffic accident, that he collided with someonemention of public relations officer. He is in jail and he needs bail money.
The second scammer contacted the same person, posing as the loved one’s lawyer, and ordered the victim to pay cash bail, he added.
The third person collects the money directly from the victim’s home.
The SPVG cannot say how many people are involved in the scheme so far. The cases are under investigationsaid Ms. East.
If in doubt, Agent East suggests that people who receive this type of call contact loved ones directly to confirm the information with them, either by phone or via social media.
With many of these files in a short time, swindlers are very active in the territorydispute by Ms. East.
The SPVG asking the population to let the elderly be part of their entourage to avoid the worst.
What you need to know is that a bond imposed by a police officer cannot exceed $ 500 and this only applies to people staying within a 200 km radius outside of Gatineau. said the police.
Bail is usually paid at the police station, Hull Jail or at the court office. Official receipts are also always provided for this type of transaction.
The latter invites citizens who receive this type of call to contact the City of Gatineau police department.
There is information from Gabriel Le Marquand-Perreault
Source: Radio-Canada
