(MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH, ON) On Thursday April 28, 2011 a Perth County OPP officer in Listowel received information that an elderly Municipality of North Perth resident had been swindled out of $6,800 by a male claming to be a bank manager.
The victim’s daughter explained to police that her mother told her that she had received a phone call from a male person who said that he was her bank manager. The bank manager explained that he was trying to catch bank employees who were suspected of taking $3000 out of her account. In order for him to apprehend the employees he needed her mothers help by having her withdraw $3000 from her account. He told her that all the money would be deposited back into her account afterwards. If she was questioned by bank employees about her withdrawal she would have to make up a story, and she was not to tell anyone else since this would hamper the investigation.
After withdrawing the money she walked home and was met by a man identifying himself as the bank manager. She handed him the money and was assured that it would be deposited back into her account. Upon returning home she received another phone call from the manager asking her to withdraw another $3,800 and follow the same procedure. Her mother told the male she was physically unable to walk to the bank again at which point he suggested her to take a cab and to let him know what this cost so he could deposit this amount in addition to the $6,800. At the bank her mother was questioned about the withdrawal by the bank teller but she very convincingly told the teller that her children needed a loan. After the second withdrawal the manager met her near the bank and took the $3,800 from her.
The victim’s daughter recognized this to be a scam and immediately called police. The Perth County Criminal investigation unit with the assistance of the victim’s financial institution is actively investigating this fraud.