‘Grandparent scam’ targeting seniors in Toronto: police
Toronto police are warning the public about another fraud scheme targeting elderly people in the city and surrounding areas.
The scam involves a person calling a senior’s land-line claiming to be their grandchild.
“In some cases, the caller discloses the grandchild’s name or calls the grandparent by their name, i.e. Nana or Papa to make it believable,” police said in a press release on Thursday.
The caller then says they have been arrested and need cash to be released from custody, police said.
The phone is then passed to a person posing as a police officer who demands a cash payment for their grandchild’s release from custody, according to police.
The fake police officer tells the grandparent to withdraw money and place it in an envelope. Police said the grandparent is told that there is a “gag order” on the case and not to discuss it with anyone.
The grandparent is then told to give the envelope to a man who would later attend their residence.
“The Toronto Police Service is requesting anyone who receives this type of call or solicitation to contact police. Police never contact family members and request cash bail or send someone to their home to pick up bail money,” police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
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.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.