Chatham-Kent Police Service officials allege: In June 2023 the Chatham-Kent Police completed a fraud investigation on Grand Avenue West in Chatham.
An elderly female had been defrauded of over $20,000 in a grandparent scam where a family member needed help.
On November 4, 2024 the Windsor Police Service arrested a 23-year-old man on the outstanding warrant from Chatham-Kent.
The Windsor man was arrested and released with a future court date of December 9,2024.
The Chatham-Kent Police remind the public that if you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent.
Hang up and call a family member, neighbour or police and make someone aware of the situation.
Information on Frauds
A typical call consists of the fraudster posting as a distraught grandchild, a police officer, or a lawyer.
The fraudster will present an emergency requiring money to help resolve the issue.
Some stories we’ve received include:
– A collision and a pregnant woman was struck
– A collision, and drugs were found in the car
– Arrested for impaired driving
– A collision, and the grandchild was driving while on their cell phone
– Broken down in another province
– Been detained in another province etc.
Generally, they present some legal issue and bail money is required to get them out of jail.
If money is not sent, then the situation will get worst in some way.
They’ve told the victim their voice doesn’t sound the same because they currently have COVID-19.
In the case of the fraudster posing as a lawyer or officer, the grandchild cannot come to the phone for some reason.
For example: the grandchild was in the medical unit of the jail.
To keep the victim from telling others, they claim a “gag order” is in place, and they can not tell anyone about the situation.
If the bank should ask questions, the fraudster provides excuses for the victim – buying a used car with cash, home renovations etc.
Fraudsters use words and terminology we’ve all heard on TV crime dramas or cop movies to sound legitimate.
Such as “gag order,” “bailiff,” and “bail bondsmen.”
These terms are not used in the Canadian Justice System.
The idea that when someone is arrested, they require bail money to be released is also not common procedures in the Canadian Justice System.
This is also something we’ve all seen through TV and movies.
It’s familiar so therefore we trust it to be true.
The fraudster will plan for someone to pick up the money.
They make it sound legitimate by providing the victim with a password for the courier and incident numbers to write on the envelope with the money.
Fraudsters are persuasive and successful when they keep the victim in a highly emotional state.
If someone should receive this call, they need to hang up.
If they are unsure if it’s a legitimate call, they need to tell someone before the money is exchanged – either a close friend, relative or just call our non-emergency number.
