Whitby man arrested in grandparent scam against Mississauga woman
Posted July 13, 2023 11:58 am.
Last Updated July 13, 2023 12:06 pm.
A 25-year-old Whitby man is in custody after attempting to defraud a 76-year-old Mississauga woman in what police are calling a grandparent scam.
Peel police say a man claiming to be a lawyer called the senior on July 11, telling her that her nephew was involved in a car accident and was behind held in jail for bail. He said he would need $8,000 in order to have the nephew released.
The senior confirmed that her nephew was not involved in an accident and subsequently contacted police.
When the man showed up at the senior’s residence to collect the money, he was met by police and arrested.
Ovie Damilila Efijemueh has been charged with fraud over $5,000.
“If someone calls you claiming to be a lawyer or police officer, they will not ask you for money, jewelry or cryptocurrency over the phone,” police said in a statement. “Requests for money should be treated with caution, and an appropriate amount of due diligence should be practiced.”
Investigators believe there may be other victims within the GTA and are asking them to contact police.
