OPP are issuing a warning and are looking for suspects after a woman fell victim to a so-called “grandparent scam” in Minden Hills Township last week.
According to Haliburton Highlands OPP, on July 14, a woman received a call from a male who falsely identified himself as a police officer and who claimed the victim’s granddaughter had been arrested for drug-related offences and was going to a bail hearing.
OPP reported the fraudster requested a payment of $9,000 was required for her release but said the victim couldn’t inform the girl’s parents or anyone else.
Police say a second female, claiming to be the victim’s granddaughter, spoke to the victim.
Arrangements were made, and a woman went to the victim’s residence the next day to collect the money, police say.
On Monday, OPP released images of the suspect and a vehicle involved. The suspect is a woman, aged 18 to 23, standing five feet five inches with a slim build. She has brown eyes and brown hair in a bun, with a red and black tattoo on the left side of her neck, an inch from the ear, which runs down toward the collarbone.
She was wearing dark pants and a dark zip-up coat. She arrived and left in a silver Hyundai Santa Fe, believed to be a model from 2013-2018.
Anyone with information can contact Haliburton Highlands OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 705 286-1431, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or khcrimestoppers.com.