Advertisement

Aylmer, Ont. investigate ‘grandparent’ phone scams after one resident loses $10,000

Aylmer, Ont., police said a 74-year-old resident was contacted over the phone by a caller claiming to be a grandson, explaining that he needed $10,000 to be bailed out of jail. The suspect met in person to retrieve the money from the victim on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Aylmer Police Service

Aylmer, Ont., police are investigating two “grandparent” phone scams in which a caller claiming to be a grandson said he urgently needed money to be bailed out of jail.

On Thursday, a 67-year-old resident was contacted over the phone by a caller claiming to be a grandson, explaining that he needed $10,000 to be bailed out of jail.

A second man on the phone call claimed to be a police officer and directed the complainant to withdraw the money in large denominations while scheduling to meet to hand over the money.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The complainant did not comply, realizing it was a scam, according to police.

Later that same day, a second resident was contacted, and the same conversation took place.

Story continues below advertisement

Police said the 74-year-old resident did not realize this was a scam and turned over $10,000 later Thursday.

There have been several so-called “grandparent scams” reported across Ontario in recent months.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Aylmer Police Service at 519-773-3146 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Sponsored content

AdChoices