Niagara Regional Police detectives are searching for a “grandparent scam” suspect in West Lincoln.
Police responded to a home there Wednesday evening after an elderly female gave that person $10,000.
The woman had received a telephone call from an individual who identified himself as “Blair Walker,” a police officer with the RCMP based out of tSt. Catharines, earlier in the day, police said. He said her grandson had been in an accident and was in police custody on drug-related offences, and that $10,000 in cash was needed to facilitate his release.
Believing her grandson was in trouble, the woman went to her bank and withdrew the money as directed.
Shortly after, a woman arrived at her address and collected the money.
The woman later spoke with family members who confirmed her grandson was not involved in an accident and was not in police custody.
The female suspect is about 25 years old, 5-foot-7, with long black hair and a thin build. She was wearing a short black dress and a short black jacket.
The NRP has a fraud page that lists some of the recurring scams and how to protect yourself.
The page said the “grandparent scam” targets the elderly to steal large sums of money, usually through a wire transfer. Financial losses from this scam are usually several thousand dollars per victim.
Anyone with information about the West Lincoln case investigation is encouraged by police to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1029487.
