Charges laid in 'grandparent scam' Durham and GTA crime ring
Three people have been charged in connection with a crime ring targeting seniors in Durham Region and across the Greater Toronto Area.
The arrests come following an investigation into more than 70 incidents of "grandparent scams" by Durham Regional Police Service's Financial Unit. The scam begins when a senior receives a phone call from someone pretending to be a lawyer for their grandchild, investigators say.
According to police, the caller tells the victim their grandchild was involved in a car accident and that a pregnant woman was injured. They would then ask for $9,000 for bail.
"The suspect would then arrange for a 'bondsman' or courier to attend the home to pick up the money," investigators said in a news release issued Wednesday. "After the money was received the senior victim would receive another phone call advising the female and/or baby had died and more money would be required."
Police say they have taken three people into custody in connection with at least seven incidents in Durham Region dating back to November 2021.
North York resident Daniel Karasira, 20, Newmarket resident Usman Oyeneye, 24, and Scarborough resident Jahmal Herbert, 20, have each been charged with participating in a criminal organization, fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of a crime.
Photographs of Karasira and Oyeneye were released by police to ensure there are no further victims.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Investigators are also reminding residents they should be "extremely cautious" when receiving unanticipated requests for money and to speak with a family member or trusted advisor for support.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact Durham police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5321.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.