Mississauga pair charged with scamming older residents

Police have arrested two individuals in connection with an ongoing “emergency scam” targeting elderly, Polish-speaking victims in Mississauga. 

Peel police say the scam involves an individual calling the victim and claiming to be his or her grandchild, child, extended family member or an old friend from Poland. The suspect tells the victim that he or she is in some kind of trouble and needs immediate financial assistance. The caller insists that this is an urgent and embarrassing matter and that he or she does not want any other family members to know. 

On occasion, the suspect may say that he or she is a lawyer/attorney or police officer representing a relative. 

The individual on the phone might claim to have been been in a car accident, been arrested for drunk driving, be trapped in another country and unable to leave, be in a hospital, be the winner of a lottery and need helping to pay taxes or fees to have the funds released, need immediate money for a land deal or need immediate money to purchase artwork.

On Oct.21, 2019, police charged a 54-year-old man from Mississauga with defrauding the public, possession of property obtained by crime, two counts of possession of identity documents and obstructing police. 

Police also say a 48-year-old woman from Mississauga was charged with defrauding the public and possession of property obtained by crime.

Anyone with information or questions regarding this type of scam is asked to contact the Fraud Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 3335.