Two Québec residents facing fraud charges in connection to grandparent scam incident in Prince Edward County
Posted Feb 25, 2023 05:20:00 PM.
Two Québec residents are facing fraud charges in relation to a grandparent scam targeting a couple from Prince Edward County.
On Friday Feb. 24, the couple reported to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) that they had fallen victim to the scam in an incident from the day before (Thursday, Feb. 23).
The couple said they lost $8,000 to fraudsters claiming to be a loved one in trouble with law enforcement.
Later in the day, with the assistance of the East Region Community Street Crime Unit and OPP Canine Unit, officers intercepted two individuals who were seeking an additional $9,500 from the victims. Two parties were arrested while leaving the couple's residence.
Jean-Pierre Savard, 64, of Montreal and Brandon-Luis Ortiz-Ruz, 22, from Saint-Leonard have both been charged with two counts each of fraud over $5,000. Both individuals were held for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville on Feb. 25.
To avoid becoming a victim follow these tips:
- Call the relative who is allegedly in trouble
- Pump the brakes and ask more questions
- Ask for credentials
- Listen to the inner voice that says “this doesn't sound right”
- Criminal Justice System does not allow for someone to be bailed out of jail with cash or cryptocurrency
- Be weary of any request to “not tell anyone”
- Be cautious of the sense of urgency
