Hamilton (December 4, 2020) – The Hamilton police arrested two suspects from Brampton who are accused of defrauding seniors using phone scams. The scammers allegedly demanded money from their elderly victims to avoid being arrested. Besides one Hamilton resident, investigators identified another victim from British Columbia. The police charged the two men with Fraud Under $5,000 and Fraud Over $5,000.
Hamilton police arrested two Brampton men as a result of an investigation into a phone scam targeting a Hamilton senior, according to a press release issued on December 4.
Defrauding seniors via phone scams
Three months ago, officers from the Hamilton police’s Crimes Against Seniors Unit began an investigation into the defrauding of a 95-year-old Hamilton resident. The scammers allegedly instructed the elderly victim via phone to send money to avoid being arrested. Officers did not further disclose how the scheme worked or which roles the two arrested suspects played in the scam.
On October 14, the Hamilton police executed a search warrant at a Brampton address. During their investigation, police identified two men from the Brampton area that were allegedly involved in defrauding seniors. Furthermore, investigators discovered a second victim of the two arrested suspects – an 86-year-old man from British Columbia.
Two Brampton men arrested
The police charged the two men – age 19 and 26 – with Fraud Under $5000 and Fraud Over $5000. They are scheduled to appear in court on February 9, 2021.
Officers reminded citizens to be cautious of suspicious phone calls in their press release: ‘If you receive a call that you own money, call the Canada Revenue Agency. Never provide personal information over the telephone, text or email. The CRA or the police will never request payment by money, service business, iTunes/Google Pay, Credit gift cards or bitcoins.’
The police asked anyone who has any information that could assist with the investigation into this crime to contact Detective Sergeant Darren Murphy by calling 905-540-6375 or anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
Read more: Hamilton man arrested in phone scam investigation
Marina Burghard writes for Canadian Fraud News about fraud-related cases, whistleblower, jurisdiction, identity theft, consumer protection, etc. – essentially about scams and how to protect yourself against this kind of fraudulent criminal behavior. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science where her interest in criminology grew. Besides fraud, Marina’s scientific interest lies in terrorism, extremism and how to deal with it as a society.
