The Peterborough County OPP have arrested a Youth involved in a local Grandparent Scam.
On May 1, 2023, members of the Peterborough County OPP received a call from a local resident advising that they had been contacted by someone pretending to be a family member that was asking for money. Officers were able to locate an individual matching a description provided and made an arrest. During the arrest, a prohibited weapon was located.
As a result of the investigation, a 17-year-old from Quebec has been charged with:
· Fraud under $5000
· Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on June 12, 2023.
To avoid becoming a victim to the “Grandparent Scam“, keep these simple tips in mind and share with your loved ones. If you receive a call with someone identifying themselves as a friend or family member urgently in need of money…slow things down,
· Confirm that it is the person that they say they are. Text or call them on a number that you have for them or ask them a question that only they would know the answer to.
· Do not provide your home address.
· Do not provide any banking or personal information.
· Ask for a number to call them back.
· If you are told that they have been arrested and are in custody, ask for the address of the police station or court that they are being held at.
· Contact your local Police Service and report the incident immediately.
If you know an elderly person, please reach out to them, and have a conversation on what to do if they get a phone call like this.
For more information on this and other common scams in Canada, check out the Competition Bureau Canada’s The Little Black Book of Scams: https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/04333.html
For additional information on ongoing scams in Canada and to report fraud, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or
https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact police.
To serve our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law, and preserving public safety.
Peterborough County OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).