EMERGENCY SCAM

(Selwyn Township, ON) – On Thursday September 11 members of the Peterborough County OPP were called to investigate a report of a Fraud that occurred in Selwyn Township.

An investigation revealed that an elderly female had been contacted by a person holding themselves out to be a relative who had an emergency and needed money quickly.

The female sent over $1400 through money order to an unknown party thinking she was helping her family member.

This is not a new crime, this type of Fraud is often referred to as an Emergency or “Grandparent” Scam.

Unfortunately it has been seen more often in the last few years.

It is a type of criminal telemarketing scam used throughout North America. Criminals will contact victims while posing as family members or friends in urgent need of cash. The criminal will often report an accident or arrest of someone travelling abroad. The money request is often sent through Western Union or Money Gram.

Often the victim does not check the story until the next day at which time it is too late.

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