'Grandparent scam': Calgary man facing fraud charges in Sherwood Park
A 40-year-old man from Calgary is facing a fraud charge after Mounties allege he collected thousands of dollars as part of a "grandparent scam" in Strathcona County.
"On May 9, the victim received a call from a male claiming to be their grandson who needed $8,000 US for bail money," Const. Chantelle Kelly wrote in a Thursday release.
"Another male claiming to be a police officer corroborated the story and advised their grandson had been arrested for drug possession and required bail money before being released from jail."
RCMP allege a man went to the home of the victim and collected the money, before it was realized it was a scam.
"The following day (the victim) received another phone call requesting additional money and arranged another pick up at the residence. The victim contacted police to report the scam," Kelly explained.
RCMP arrested Jeb Trim of Calgary and he was charged with fraud over $5,000.
Police shared a photo of Trim because they believe he may have defrauded other people.
Trim was released from custody but is scheduled to appear in Sherwood Park Provincial Court on June 1.
RCMP released tips on what to do if people call you asking for money:
- "Get off the phone and call or text the person who (supposedly) called. If you can’t reach them, check with a family member to get the real story. Even if the scammer said not to."
- "Don’t give your address, personal information, or cash to anyone who contacts you."
Anyone with information regarding Trim is asked to call Strathcona County RCMP Detachment at 780-467-7741 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.