GUELPH – Guelph Police are reminding residents to be cautious after a local woman was defrauded of $4,000 in a grandparent scam.
Police say the victim reported the incident on Friday. She told investigators that last Wednesday morning she received a phone call from someone she believed was her grandson, claiming he had been arrested following a collision and urgently needed $4,000 for bail.
Arrangements were made for someone to attend the woman’s home, where she handed over the cash. It wasn’t until she later contacted her grandson directly that she realized she had been the victim of a scam.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Police are urging residents to be skeptical of any phone call, email or text message demanding immediate action or money. They recommend independently contacting the person or organization involved before sending money or sharing personal information.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by fraud or cybercrime is encouraged to report it to their local police service as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, even if no money was lost. The incident is being investigated under occurrence number GU26045337.
