A Peterborough woman was scammed, police say, and was almost out more than $15,000 after being informed she had won $4 million in a lottery last summer.
Police say she would have lost the money had a relative not noticed that she fell for a scam.
Police say on July 19, the woman, who is in her 80s, received a call from a man stating she had won a lottery and a luxury car. The caller added that in order to claim her prizes, she had to deposit $15,000 into his bank account.
The woman made the deposit at a bank.
Police say the following day a relative noticed the transactions, which included two transfers totalling $927 and a $15,000 transfer.
“The relative attended the bank and was able to cancel the $15,000 bank draft before any funds had been withdrawn,” stated police spokesperson Lauren Gilchrist. “Police were contacted and began an investigation.”
The investigation helped police identify a suspect. Police say, Darren Sinclair, 27, attended the police station on Dec. 16 where he was placed under arrest.
Sinclair, of Shelby Cres., Mississauga, is charged with fraud over $5,000.
Sinclair appeared in court on Dec. 16, was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear again in court on Monday.
Read the full story over at Global News.
