Warning: OPS and OPP Alert Public to New Scam Targeting Seniors with Fake Gold Investment Schemes

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/warning-ops-and-opp-alert-public-to-new-scam-targeting-seniors-with-fake-gold-investment-schemes.aspx

Posted on Monday, April 14, 2025

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 14th, 2025            12:25 p.m.

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are warning the public about a new scam where criminals are tricking elderly people into buying and shipping large amounts of gold to avoid financial loss.

The OPS has received reports from two elderly victims who were scammed into buying over $500,000 worth of gold each, which the suspects arrange to pick up from the victim at their residence. The OPP in Norfolk County has also reported a similar case, with losses of nearly $350,000.

This scam is a new version of the "Grandparent Scam," where criminals previously claimed a loved one was in trouble and needed money for bail. Now, the scam artists are telling victims that the only way to protect their money is to buy gold.

The criminals use pop-up messages that look like they are from trusted sources on the victims’ computers, convincing them that their online financial information has been stolen. Once the suspects have gained the victims’ trust, they convince them to buy gold and then arrange to pick it up, leading to significant financial loss. The victims are told not to tell their family or bank.

The OPS and OPP are urging everyone, especially older people, to be careful and follow these tips:

• Do not buy gold or gift cards if you get unexpected pop-up messages, emails, or phone calls.
• If someone asks you to buy gold or gift cards to protect your money, talk to a trusted family member or friend before doing anything.
• If you think you’ve been targeted or already lost money, call 211 or your local police right away.

“These scams can sound very convincing, and we don’t want anyone to feel embarrassed about coming forward,” said Fraud Detective Shaun Wahbeh. “If something feels suspicious, always ask for help. We’re here to help you.”

“Those behind this type of scam are always changing their tactics, and we need to stay alert,” said OPP Regional Media Coordinator Bill Dickson. “If you’re contacted by these criminals, don’t hesitate to report it to the police. You’re not alone.”

Both the OPS and OPP are dedicated to helping the public and stopping these scams. If you think you’ve been a victim or see something suspicious, please contact the police.

For more information or to report a scam, visit ottawapolice.ca or opp.ca.

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

Man charged in Ottawa based grandparent scam

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/man-charged-in-ottawa-based-grandparent-scam.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 10, 2023        1:05 pm

(Ottawa) – On May 5th, a woman in her 70s was contacted by phone and advised that her grandson was in trouble with the police, and that she needed to pay $10,000 for his bail.

She agreed to pay, and an unknown man went to her home to collect the money.

Days later, the woman was contacted once again, and asked for another $10,000. Alarmed, the woman contacted her son, and he called the Ottawa Police.

Frontline patrol officers attended the woman’s address and waited for the unknown man to come to pick up the 2nd payment of 10,000 dollars and arrested him.

The Ottawa Police Service Fraud Unit charged Kevin AIFUWA, 18 years old, of Laval, with Fraud exceeding $5000.

If someone calls and says they are representing a police service like the RCMP or the Ottawa Police, look up their phone number and call them directly to verify any information. If you can’t find a number, call 211, they can help, and ask them to connect you with the actual police service.

It’s always a good idea to call a trusted family member to discuss suspicious phone calls from strangers.

You can read more Ottawa Police Grandparent scam tips online or visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for more information on this and other scams.

Are you familiar with the grandparent scam?

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/are-you-familiar-with-the-grandparent-scam.aspx

(Ottawa) – Organized Fraud Unit investigators have received over 10 reports about the grandparent scam in the past week and want to share a few safety tips with the community.

With this type of scams, the fraudster calls claiming be your grandchild or calling on behalf of your grandchild asking for money or gift cards. They prey on an unsuspecting victim’s fear of a loved one being hurt or in trouble.

Scammers will often also claim that there was a gag order in place and that you will not be able to verify any information.

“We continue to warn the public about an uptick in these types of scams, which target vulnerable populations,” said Organized Fraud Unit Staff Sergeant Cameron Graham. “Question if you are being told there’s a “gag order” in place.

Publication bans or gag orders are designed for the media to protect evidence and victims’ identities not to prevent you from talking to friends or your bank.  

If someone calls and says they are representing a police service like the RCMP or the Ottawa Police, look up their phone number and call them directly to verify any information.  If you can’t find a number, call 211, they can help, and ask them to connect you with the actual police service.

“Don’t be pressured,” added Staff Sergeant Graham. “Scams work because they don’t give you time to think about what is being asked. Call a trusted family member to discuss it or call your local police service.”

You can read more about this scam online.

Warning: ‘Grandparent’ scam fraudsters are very active and targeting seniors

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=227fbb46-2e12-4f4a-ac40-b118f4eef7dd

Posted On Friday July 22, 2022

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 22, 2022   11:25 am 

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service is advising residents that the ‘grandparent’ scam is very active this summer, with 20 reports received in the past 7 days alone. Victims have been defrauded of large amounts of cash, ranging from $10,000 to 30,000. 

Most typically it is an elderly person who receives a phone call from someone claiming to be his or her grandchild. The caller says that they have been arrested and they urgently need you to send money or gift cards for their bail. 

The fraudster will make it difficult to understand what they are saying or to recognize the voice in an attempt for victims to fill in the blanks as to who they are. They are incredibly convincing and count on the emotional factor. 

In the past week, victims who came forward to police told Fraud Unit investigators that they have been made to believe by the fraudster that a ‘Gag Order’ was put into place to protect the identity of the police officer who is going to be collecting the monies.  

This fake secrecy demand puts victims in an awkward position; they will then shy away from telling any other persons about the demand for money from a family member. 

The Ottawa Police is reminding the community that police never asks for money for Bail from family members, nor do we issue ‘Gag Orders’. 

Bail Hearing in Canada takes place in Court and does not necessarily involve money. 

If there is a financial penalty involved, it is not paid up front to a police officer, by pre-paid gift cards or via transfer to someone’s bank account.” 

If you get a call like this, here’s what you should do:

• Never confirm any personal information over the phone.
• Always verify who is calling. If it is a family member as they claim, tell them you will call them back and use the number you have for this person. Don’t use a number given by the caller. Use 411 or the Internet to get the phone number if you don’t have it.
• Don’t be pressured. Take some time to process what you have been told, to see if it makes sense. Ask a trusted friend or family member for their opinion, or if in doubt, call your local police service. 

Make sure your elderly family members, neighbours and friends, are aware of current scams and how they work. 

You can get information from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. 

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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

Fraud related 2017 Civic vehicle

Related Photos

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  2017 Civic vehicle and Charged Danielle JIMENEZ-GOLEZ
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  Charged Danielle JIMENEZ-GOLEZ
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  Charged Jason GOULET-FERNANDEZ
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  Charged Jason GOULET-FERNANDEZ

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.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

Woman who lost $9000 in scam gets money back

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=5dc083ed-a769-400c-b648-96dc19c96eba

Posted On Thursday May 13, 2021

Police officers in Ottawa and Montreal recovered $9000 for a woman after she fell for a convincing scam involving the arrest of her son.

The Ottawa resident was called by someone claiming to be her son on March 26. He was crying and difficult to hear, but he was cut off, and a man posing as an RCMP officer came on the line. He told her that her son had been arrested and to send money by a parcel delivery service for his release. He gave her an address in Montreal. The woman was surprised to hear her son was arrested, but she followed the instructions and shipped the money to what she thought was the address of a police officer.

When her husband got home, he was suspicious of the call, so he contacted Ottawa Police Service (OPS). Cst. Denise Couperus took the information from the couple. Fortunately, the woman had a tracking number, so Detective Melissa Plunkett got ahold of the parcel delivery service, who said the package would be re-routed to the sender. When it was still delivered to the original destination, Detective Laurie-Anne Rocca reached out to Montreal Police for help. They went to the address and the parcel was on the door step. They seized the package with the money.

“These scammers do this all the time and they are very convincing,” says Detective Rocca. “It may sound impossible, but when it happens to you, it seems absolutely real.”

Detective Rocca says there are steps you can take to avoid being scammed:

• A police service will not ask for money to be delivered by parcel delivery.
• Verify police are in fact calling you. Don’t use the number given by the caller, use 411 or the Internet to get the phone number and do your own check.
• If the person is claiming to be your family member, ask them to answer questions that only he or she would know, to satisfy you that you are in fact speaking to them.
• Don’t be pressured. Take some time to process what you have been told, to see if it makes sense. Try calling the person claiming to be in trouble to see if they answer the phone, ask a trusted friend or family member for their opinion.
•  If you are in doubt, call your local police service.
• Make sure you, and elderly family members or friends, are aware of current scams and how they work. You can get information from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

“It was a team effort that led to the successful outcome of this case,” said Detective Rocca. “Not only with Ottawa Police officers, but the Montreal Police as well.  Criminals may operate in different jurisdictions, but we talk to each other.”

The incident is under investigation.

If you have been the victim of a scam where you have lost money or your personal information has been stolen, you can make a fraud report online.

EGAN: Grandpa's quick work, luck, foils scammers

https://ottawasun.com/news/local-news/egan-grandpa-i-need-8900-now-quick-work-luck-foils-scammers/wcm/3a4700e5-22b3-4027-b3d7-20a9694faac1

Seymour Eisenberg, 88, was nearly caught in the 'grandparent scam' when a man impersonating his grandson asked him to courier $8,600 to get him out of jail. However, after sending the money, Eisenberg realized his mistake and drove to Montreal to intercept the cheque.Julie Oliver / Postmedia

The grandparent scam is a classic in the grifter handbook — because it works, even on smart people like Seymour Eisenberg.

He’s 88, in remarkably good health, still driving and well enough to be volleying a tennis ball around while looking after his wife Edna in their tidy home off Meadowlands Drive.

On July 29, there came a phone call from a man identifying himself as Jason, his grandson. He referred to them as Bubbe and Zayde, the common Jewish names for grandparents.

“It was Jason,” said Eisenberg. “They had him down to a T.”

Then came the pitch. He had been in a car accident in Montreal and was at fault. In order to avoid a charge, the other motorist — through a lawyer — had agreed to accept $8,900 cash, but needed the money right away as he was leaving for Greece.

“Jason” provided a name and address in Montreal where the cash should be sent by overnight courier. When Eisenberg tried to ask questions to confirm Jason’s identity, he said he was in the middle of the police station, surrounded by people, and “couldn’t be throwing (family) names around.”

(He also said they had taken his cellphone.)

Eisenberg was sold. He went to the bank the next day, wrapped the cash in newspaper and sent it via UPS to the address, with delivery expected by the following morning, all for $75.

That evening, though, he began to wonder: what if the recipient says there was no money in the envelope? Then what?

He called his son, Neil, Jason’s father. Accident? What accident? Eisenberg said Neil made a quick call to Jason and located him in B.C., safe and sound.

“My son called me back and said you’ve been scammed.”

Eisenberg immediately decided he would head to Montreal to intercept the parcel. His son, meanwhile, called UPS to alert them to the problem.

“They were very helpful.”

They left early the next morning but got caught in traffic. Worried he would miss the early delivery, he called his daughter Selina, a Montreal resident, and had her stake out the apartment from a safe distance.

When they arrived mid-morning, she was still there. They took over, waiting about an hour for the trademark brown truck to arrive. UPS, meanwhile, had managed to stop delivery and were holding the envelope in Lachine.

They did not knock on the door, though Eisenberg said he wanted to investigate the name on the mailbox, armed with a baseball bat.

“In many ways, I was very fortunate,” said Eisenberg, retired after a career in the insurance and investment world. “If the delivery drop was in Calgary, I never would have got out there.”

Eisenberg got all his money back, so crisis averted.

But he wants to warn other grandparents and also pass along a complaint about the police response.

He says he couldn’t a get live person on the line at the Ottawa police number and, after a couple of false starts, located a fraud extension that encouraged him to send an email or report online.

Not his style. “I’m a dinosaur, I don’t want to send an email.”

Shortly after the attempted fraud, he stopped in to the Elgin Street headquarters to report the crime in person. He says he arrived at 8:15 p.m., only to discover the front counter closed at 8 p.m.

“The main police station closes at 8 o’clock? I don’t get it. So I never made a report in Ottawa.”

A spokesman for the Montreal police wants to ensure Eisenberg they are taking the case seriously.

Const. Manuel Couture said investigators have checked out many leads and are working with Ottawa police on the matter.

“Each time we have (a fraud complaint), we take it very seriously. The victims are so vulnerable that we can’t let that go.”

There are no arrests so far. Couture encouraged this newspaper not to print the address involved because it almost certainly belongs to an innocent person. The name given Eisenberg is likely a phoney one too, he added. (This newspaper called the 514 number provided. It was out of service.)

Eisenberg, meanwhile, wants to warn people how easy it is to get trapped into “the narrative” the fraudster is spinning.

“Once you get into speaking to them, they’re playing you, and they’re very good at it.”

He’s just glad he got his money back.

“Was I smart? No, I screwed up. I was very lucky I called my son the next day. I was lucky the drop was in Montreal. I was lucky with the action UPS took.”

In 2016, more than 800 Canadians fell victim to the grandparent scam, though the total number is thought to be widely under-reported.

To contact Kelly Egan, please call 613-726-5896 or email kegan@postmedia.com

Twitter: @KellyEganColumn