Police have made another arrest linked to a group that targeted senior victims across Canada.
Back on April 18 Project Sharp members, consisting of 11 Ontario and Quebec police services, announced the results of their 15-month-long investigation into individuals defrauding victims using the 'emergency grandparent' scam.
"The targets were seniors with a landline telephone, who believed they were speaking with an officer or a lawyer claiming to have the victim's grandchild or family member in custody," says a release.
14 arrested, 56 charges laid in #OPP-led Joint Forces Operation Project Sharp, a major emergency grandparent scam investigation. Joint efforts involving @SureteDuQuebec and #Ontario and #Quebec police services to combat fraud across provinces. @CanAntiFraud pic.twitter.com/pocw0LBqyT
— Ontario Provincial Police (@OPP_News) April 19, 2024
"Bail money was requested for the family member's release. In most instances, money mules (unsuspecting couriers) were used to collect large amounts of money from the victims. Victims felt emotional distress and fearful of the financial impact on their lives."
On Oct. 9 members of the OPP Anti-Racket Unit and Criminal Investigation Branch, arrested and charged a 14th person, a 24-year-old Waterloo man.
Project Sharp is an OPP criminal investigation.
"Emergency grandparent scams not only cause significant financial loss but also inflict emotional trauma on victims," says Detective Inspector Sean Chatland.
"It is crucial we address these frauds together, as many of our loved ones are vulnerable. We urge everyone to talk to at-risk loved ones and encourage victims to report incidents to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre,"
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of the emergency grandparent scam or any fraud is urged to contact their local police,
