Central Alberta man arrested in connection with grandparent scam
Lethbridge police have arrested a Vermilion, Alta., man in connection with a "grandparent scam" that took aim at a local senior.
On April 15, authorities were notified by a 75-year-old woman who said she'd been contacted by a man who said he was a lawyer.
The individual told her that her grandson had been involved in a crash and had been arrested, so he needed money for bail.
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"The fake lawyer advised he would send someone to collect the money and instructed the victim to write an alphanumeric code on the envelope," police said in a news release.
"She subsequently provided $3,400 cash to a male who attended her home."
While the male was at the victim's home, police say the woman received another call from the fake lawyer who said the payment wouldn't be enough and more was needed.
After being instructed to acquire more money and being cautioned not to contact anyone about the issue, the victim instead called a family member, who confirmed her grandson was safe and not in any trouble.
The victim then contacted police, who attended the victim's home.
"While police were on scene, the victim received another call advising someone would be coming back to her home to obtain the additional funds. A male arrived at the victim's home a short time later to collect the cash and was arrested without incident," police said.
Police found the suspect's vehicle nearby and traced him to a local motel, where police obtained search warrants for his room.
"Police recovered a portion of the cash the victim had provided after bills in the same denominations were located in the motel room," officials said, adding that the suspect likely came to Lethbridge to engage in criminal activity.
Dimitar Stamatov, 41, is charged with fraud under $5,000, attempted fraud over $5,000 and false pretenses.
He was released from custody following a hearing and is expected back in court on May 14.
The investigation remains ongoing as police believe there are additional suspects and victims.
"(Police) are asking anyone who has experienced similar circumstances to come forward. Call 403-328-4444 if you believe you have been victimized in a grandparent scam or any other fraud."
In the meantime, police commend the victim for coming forward and informing police about the scam.
Police are advising the public about grandparent scams and offer the following advice about them:
Always verify the identity of callers and the legitimacy of their story. This can be done by calling another family member;
If the caller claims to be a police officer or other official, hang up and call the police station or courthouse directly;
Do not use any phone calls or other contact details provided by scammers;
Do not provide money, gift cards or any other form of payment to someone you don't know; and
Do not provide any personal information to anyone you don't know.
Police also say that bail is always paid in person at the police station, courthouse or correctional centre and a receipt of payment is always provided.
"Police and court officials will never attend someone's home to pick up cash."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
NEW Kim Kardashian brand kids' sleepwear and more: Here are some recalls to watch out for
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7
William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.
Is your password 123456? Here's why you should make it stronger
With the sheer number of passwords needed today, it may come as no surprise that over 60 per cent of Canadians feel overwhelmed, and over a third reportedly forget their passwords monthly.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.
China sends a probe to get samples from the less-explored far side of the moon
China on Friday launched a lunar probe to land on the far side of the moon and return with samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Jurors in Trump hush money trial hear recording of pivotal call on plan to buy affair story
Jurors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump heard a recording Thursday of him discussing with his then-lawyer and personal fixer a plan to purchase the silence of a Playboy model who has said she had an affair with the former president.
OPP's mandatory alcohol screening during traffic stops 'not acceptable': CCLA
A spike in impaired driving-related collisions has caused Ontario’s provincial police to begin enforcing mandatory alcohol screening (MAS) at all traffic stops in the Greater Toronto Area -- a move one civil rights group says is ‘not acceptable.’