$6,000 fake cop scam ends with arrest of pair from Brampton

Charges have been laid against a teen boy and a young man from Brampton after police say they scammed an Ontario grandfather out of $6,000 in a fake arrest scam.

The investigation started in July when York Regional Police say they got a call from an Ontario man who believed he’d been the victim of what police call a “grandparent scam.”

The victim said he’d been contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer, and that the caller said the victim’s grandson had been arrested for drugs.

That’s when the caller asked the victim to send $6,000 for bail money.

But police say the caller was actually a scammer who had the cash and was picked up by a courier.

Investigators say the scammers called back late that same day and asked for another $7,000 because a gun was located during the incident. That’s when the victim realized they may have been the target of a scam.

After two months, police now say they’ve made two arrests in connection to the scam and have laid charges against a 20-year-old male and a 16-year-old male from Brampton.

Markell London, 20, and a 16-year-old male, both of Brampton, have been charged by York Regional Police with one count of fraud over $5,000.

Police say officers will never contact anyone to demand money for the release of an arrested person.

Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming the victim of a scam:

• Never offer personal or financial information to someone over the phone.
• Call the grandchild or family member in question, at a phone number you recognize as their own.
• Ask the caller personal questions that only your grandchild could answer but an imposter could not
• Verify the story or information with family first
• Press the caller for details if they identify as a government official and verify their information
• Please take some time and ask yourself: “Could this be a scam?” “Does it make sense?”

Anyone with information about this incident or similar scams can contact their local law enforcement non-emergency line. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.