Saturday 4 June 2022

Montreal residents charged in ‘Grandparent’ scam investigation - police releasing photos seeking victims

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?page=3&newsId=b002690c-846a-41ae-94b4-ab7af8050cdc


Posted On Tuesday May 31, 2022

2017 Civic vehicle - fraud
Fraud related 2017 Civic vehicle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 31, 2022             2:15 pm 

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Organized Fraud Unit, in collaboration with the Morrisburg Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), has charged a man and a woman in connection with fraud allegations relating to a ‘Grandparent’ scam.

“Grandparent” type scams involve a person contacting an elderly victim pretending to be a grandchild and claiming that they have been arrested by police and now need money to post bail.  Those targeted are then encouraged to withdraw cash which is later picked-up by a courier. 

Over the past few months, the Ottawa Police has received over 10 complaints from victims where they have been defrauded of over $100,000. This is part of an alarming trend in cities nationwide.

Today, the Organized Fraud Unit has charged a man and a woman with five of these related incidents for a combined loss exceeding $46,000.

Jason GOULET-FERNANDEZ, 22 years old and Danielle JIMENEZ-GOLEZ, 19 years old and both of Montreal, were charged with: 

  • Fraud over $5,000
  • Possession of proceeds of crime
  • Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence 

They are both scheduled to appear in court today.

Due to the seriousness of the series of offences and the vulnerability of those impacted, police are releasing images of the offenders, in order to help identify any other victims. 

Furthermore, it is known that the suspects were using a four-door 2007 black Honda Civic bearing Quebec plate Z15XPL when committing these offences (see photos).

Anyone with information about these incidents or may have been a victim of fraud is asked to contact the Organized Fraud Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5292.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

- 30 -

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366