A Sudbury resident is out $9,000 after falling victim to a grandparent scam, Greater Sudbury Police said today in a news release.
On July 25, GSPS said it received a call from an elderly Greater Sudbury resident who believed she was a victim of a grandparent scam.
The woman had received a call from someone pretending to be her granddaughter who said she had been involved in a collision and police had found $10,000 worth of cannabis in her vehicle.
The call came from the phone number 236-335-0168, police said.
“An individual impersonating a police officer then came on the phone and said that $9,000 was required in order for her ‘granddaughter’ to make bond,” police said in the news release. “The ‘police officer’ then made arrangements with the community member in order to attend her residence to collect the money.”
The woman withdrew the cash from her bank account and a woman went to the victim’s house to pick up the money. She was described as being white, standing 5-5 with blonde hair. She was wearing a grey shirt with the word “Security” printed across the front. Police said she was driving a white Audi Q5 with a black rack on the top and no front licence plate.
Police have made an arrest in the case. The next day, July 26, a 20-year-old Ottawa resident was arrested and charged with fraud over $5,000. She was granted bail on July 27.
And while an arrest has been made, GSPS is concerned there may be other victims in the city who have not reported being scammed to the police.
If you or someone you know is a victim of this or a similar scam, you are encouraged to contact GSPS at 705-675-9171.
GSPS also wants the public to know that in Canada, police officers will never contact you about posting bail or posting a bond for a friend or family member, nor would police send someone to your home to collect money.
