‘Grandparent scam’ tries to steal money from victims in Mississauga and across Canada: police

An ongoing police effort to nab fraudsters who target older adults using “emergency grandparent scams” in Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada has resulted in another arrest.

Ontario Provincial Police arrested a Waterloo man on Wednesday, charging him in connection with a fraudulent scheme that seeks to take money from seniors by playing on their emotions.

The latest arrest is in addition to more than a dozen other arrests made in April as a result of a multi-jurisdictional police investigation dubbed Project Sharp.

The probe, led by OPP and also including Peel Regional Police and some 10 other law enforcement agencies in Ontario and Quebec, took aim at scammers who targeted victims across Canada.

Through “emergency grandparent scams,” which have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, fraudsters contact seniors by phone — usually a land line — and try to pass themselves off as a grandchild of the would-be victim. They claim they’re in trouble and need money wired to them immediately.

Police said in a news release on Thursday that earlier victims “believed they were speaking with an officer or a lawyer claiming to have the victim’s grandchild or family member in custody. Bail money was requested for the family member’s release.”

Investigators add that in most cases, unsuspecting couriers or “money mules” were then sent to collect large amounts of money from the victims.

“Victims felt emotional distress and fearful of the financial impact on their lives,” police said.

“Emergency grandparent scams not only cause significant financial loss, but also inflict emotional trauma on victims,” added OPP Det.-Insp. Sean Chatland. “It is crucial we address these frauds together as many of our loved ones are vulnerable. 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.”

Jahzion Holness-Edie, 24, of Waterloo, is charged with participation in a criminal organization, commission of an offence for a criminal organization and fraud over $5,000.

He has been released from custody and is to appear in court on Nov. 6.

In addition to OPP and Peel police, Project Sharp also includes officers from police forces in Durham, Halton, York, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa and Montreal.

Additional assistance was provided by United States Homeland Security and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, OPP said.

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of such a scam or any fraud is urged to call their local police, OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Fraud victims can also call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.