Close to 150 fraud cases reported to police in Fort Erie this year

There have been close to 150 instances this year when people in Fort Erie felt they had been duped to the point of contacting police.

Last week, Niagara Regional Police (NRP) issued a news release about the ongoing “grandparent scam,” where suspects typically contact elderly victims by telephone, posing as a grandchild or another family member.

The caller claims to be in urgent legal trouble, often involving a motor vehicle collision or criminal charges, and requests immediate financial assistance.

In some cases, a second individual posing as a police officer or lawyer will join the call to reinforce the deception.

Victims are pressured to provide large sums of money, either by arranging in-person pickups, courier delivery, or electronic transfer.

Fraudsters will typically instruct victims not to speak to anyone about the situation, creating a false sense of secrecy and urgency, police say.

Constable Rich Hingley, NRP media relations officer, told Fort Erie Radio that the number of fraud-related calls for service in Greater Fort Erie since January 1 is 147, although he was unable to say how many of those calls involved elderly people being targeted by this specific hoax.

“Unfortunately, the way the data is captured, we cannot pull out calls that only involve the grandparent scam,” he said in an email.

Each report would have to be read to determine the nature of the fraud incident.

The fraud calls could involve bank cards being used without authority, Canada Revenue Agency scams, counterfeit money, or involve Facebook Marketplace, he explained.

“The important part is for people to be aware of any high-pressure tactics looking for immediate money, gift cards, or payments,” said Hingley.

Fort Erie residents should be skeptical, according to last week’s news release.

“Law enforcement, courts, and government agencies will never demand immediate payment in cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency,” said the NRP.

Police suggest hanging up and contacting the family member directly as well as discussing the request with another family member, friend, or trusted advisor before taking action.

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