Ontario police arrest another suspect allegedly linked to group involved in grandparent scam
Police have arrested another suspect who they say is linked to a group allegedly involved in emergency grandparent scams across Canada.
On Thursday, Ontario Provincial Police announced the latest arrest in the Project Sharp investigation, which is a joint forces operation involving 11 Ontario and Quebec police services.
The initial results of the investigation, which began in Sept. 2022, were revealed in April, with police laying 56 charges against 14 suspects who were all arrested in the Montreal area. Police identified 126 victims, the majority of whom are from Ontario, who were tricked into giving a total of $739,000.
At that time, one investigator said the group had “ties to Italian traditional organized crime.”
On Thursday, OPP said 24-year-old Jahzion Holness-Edie was arrested this week and charged with fraud over $5,000, participation in a criminal organization and commission of offence for a criminal organization. He was released and scheduled to appear in an Ottawa court in November.
Police said the scam involves suspects targeting seniors with landlines and tricking them into believing they were speaking with an officer or lawyer claiming to have their grandchild in custody.
The suspects would then request bail money and send “money mules” to collect it from the victims, police said.
“Emergency grandparent scams not only cause significant financial loss, but also inflict emotional trauma on victims. It is crucial we address these frauds together, as many of our loved ones are vulnerable,” OPP Det. Insp. Sean Chatland said in a statement.
“We urge everyone to talk to at-risk loved ones and encourage victims to report incidents to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump vows to renegotiate USMCA free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico
Donald Trump has vowed to renegotiate the USMCA free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico.
Poilievre, Guilbeault claim victory after federal budget watchdog's updated carbon tax report
Both the Liberals and Conservatives are claiming a win after the parliamentary budget officer released an updated report on the economic impacts of the federal carbon tax on Canadian households.
Look up: Northern lights could be visible across Canada on Thursday night
The northern lights could be visible across most of Canada on Thursday night.
1 person is dead and 12 are trapped in a former Colorado gold mine
One person was killed and officials were working to rescue 12 others trapped deep beneath the surface of a former Colorado gold mine after an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said Thursday.
'This is money, this is my life': Victim of violent Thornhill robbery says he had around $110K stolen
The victim of a violent robbery in Thornhill says he had $100,000 to $110,000 stolen from him after being boxed in his car.
Winnipeg School Division apologizes over message displayed during professional development day
The superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division (WSD) has apologized over a message displayed during a professional development day on Wednesday.
Another Canadian reportedly dead in Lebanon amid escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict
Global Affairs Canada says it's aware of reports of the death of a Canadian in Lebanon.
340 rescued following Hurricane Milton's widespread destruction
Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction and immobilizing critical infrastructure. Hundreds of residents have been rescued so far.
Senate passes Liberal, NDP bill to cover diabetes and birth control medication
The pharmacare bill that was central to a political pact between the Liberals and NDP become law Thursday after the Senate passed the bill without making any changes.