Over the last year police services across the province have been receiving reports of seniors being defrauded of large sums of money. Seniors living in retirement homes have been getting phone calls from a person who identifies themselves as the grandson of the senior. The suspect would tell the senior that they are in Montreal and have been involved in an accident or been arrested, and they need money to cover the cost of the accident or a lawyer. Sometimes the caller would identify themselves as the lawyer representing the grandson.
The senior is directed to go to a Western Union outlet to deposit $1,000-$6,000 into an account and get the confirmation number. They would then receive a second call from the suspect asking for the confirmation number which allows the suspect to withdraw all the funds from the account from any Western Union.
If you should receive such a call, ignore the person, hang up and report the call immediately to the house administrator and the police.
If you have any information about this crime or any other crime, call Hamilton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.