Quebec man charged after grandparent scams cost Manitoba seniors $31,000 - BERITAJA

Winnipeg constabulary opportunity a bid of “grandparent” telephone scams has costs seniors successful Manitoba $31,000, arsenic investigators identified aggregate victims and laid fraud charges against a Quebec man.

The Winnipeg Police Service said the cases stem from an ongoing investigation into emergency scams successful which suspects airs arsenic relatives seeking bail money.

Police had antecedently warned the nationalist about the scam and announced the apprehension of a Quebec man connected March 17 aft an big successful their 80s was defrauded successful February.

Investigators opportunity they person since identified 4 further victims successful Winnipeg.

Authorities opportunity connected Feb. 17, an big successful their 70s received a telephone from personification posing arsenic a grandchild requesting bail money. The unfortunate handed complete cash, which was later picked up by a antheral fishy successful the Charleswood neighbourhood.

On Feb. 19, an big successful their 80s was convinced to supply jewelry alternatively of rate aft receiving a akin call. The items were collected from the victim’s Windsor Park home.

On Feb. 25 and Feb. 26, 2 adults successful their 80s were separately defrauded aft callers posing arsenic grandsons requested bail money. Cash was picked up from residences successful Windsor Park and North Kildonan.

With assistance from the RCMP successful Portage la Prairie, constabulary opportunity they besides identified 2 further victims successful that community.

On Feb. 26, an big successful their 80s provided rate to a fishy posing arsenic a nephew. On March 5, an big successful their 70s was likewise defrauded aft receiving a telephone from personification claiming to beryllium a nephew.

A 24-year-old Quebec man, Lyven Lemieux-Theriault, was arrested April 15 astatine the Winnipeg Remand Centre connected a warrant related to the frauds.

He is charged pinch 3 counts of fraud nether $5,000 and 3 counts of fraud complete $5,000, and remained successful custody.

Police are urging the nationalist to thief forestall scams by hanging up connected suspicious calls, verifying accusation and reporting incidents.

Victims are encouraged to interaction the Financial Crime Unit.