Parkland RCMP are seeking public assistance in identifying a suspect believed to be connected to fraud.
On Jan. 27, a victim in Wabamun received a phone call from a man claiming his grandson had been arrested and needed bail money. Shortly after, the male suspect arrived at the victim’s home and allegedly obtained $8,500 in cash from the victim.
The male suspect is described as:
- Approximately 30-years-old
- Approximately five feet 10 inches tall
- A bit of a beard/facial hair
- Wearing a dark coat
This kind of scam is frequently referred to as a “grandparent scam.” The RCMP say the best defence against these scams is education, so please remind your loved ones:
- Never send or give money to anyone you don’t know or haven’t confirmed the identity of.
- Bail is always paid in person at a courthouse or correctional centre and is never in the form of gift cards or Bitcoin.
- If a person claims to be a police officer or judge, call that police service or courthouse directly to confirm the situation and identity of the caller.
- Never give out personal information over the phone or online to someone you don’t know.
- If you receive a call from someone saying they are a friend or family member and they need emergency money, hang up and call them yourself to ensure the person is who they say they are. Fraudsters have the ability to change their caller ID information to say anything they want. With new technology, some applications can mimic the voice of anyone.
Police are requesting that anyone who recognizes the suspect contact the Parkland RCMP at 825-220-7267(RCMP). If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app.
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