Toronto police recover nearly $10K sent by victim in ‘grandparent scam’
Posted May 5, 2023 11:27 am.
Toronto police say they have recovered nearly $10,000 that was sent by a victim in an apparent grandparent scam.
Investigators allege a 78-year-old victim got a phone call from someone who pretended to be their daughter in distress. The alleged scammer told the victim she had been arrested after getting into a car accident that resulted in injuries to a young boy.
The suspect told the victim she needed a specific amount of money for bail. The victim wired the requested amount, believing the caller to be their daughter.
The suspect called back a short time later and claimed the young boy who was injured in the supposed crash had died, and asked the victim to send more money. The scammer advised there was a publication ban on the collision and told the victim not to tell anyone about the incident.
The victim wired funds for a second time but eventually grew suspicious and reported it to police.
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Police were able to recover around $9,000 of the wired funds, which they call a significant portion. The Toronto Police Service Financial Crimes Unit was able to make the recovery with help from a financial institution involved in the transfers.
The investigation is ongoing.
Toronto police are advising the public that they will never contact family members and request money be sent for bail. Anyone who receives a similar type of call is being advised to contact police.
