Three victims in North Bay are out several thousand dollars after being tricked into handing over money in grandparent scams.
Police refuse to say how much money each victim lost, only that each was taken for “several thousand dollars” when a suspect came to their residence to collect the money.
“Scammers call elderly individuals claiming to need money to help the victim’s grandchild,” police said in a news release Monday.
“In many of these incidents, the scammers claim the victim’s grandchild has been arrested and needs money for bail. The scammers may pose as the grandchild, a legal representative for the grandchild or as law enforcement officials.”
Two of the thefts took place Feb. 20 – one on Hughes Road, the other on Farley Avenue. The third took place Feb. 21 on Orange Crescent.
Similar incidents in Huntsville
“The suspect in these incidents matches the description of a suspect in a reported grandparent scam being investigated by the Ontario Provincial Police in Huntsville,” police said.
“Anyone with information that can lead to the identification or location of the suspect, including security camera footage or dash camera footage from the areas where the incident occurred from the day of the incident, is asked to contact the North Bay Police Service.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to call 705-497-5555 and press 5 to speak with an officer. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
