On July 29, 2022, St. Albert RCMP received a call from a concerned grandparent that their grandchild was in custody, and they had been asked to pay bail of $9800.
The grandparent was waiting at their residence with the money for someone to attend to collect the bail money. St. Albert RCMP recognized the situation as the "grandparent scam" and attended the residence where an 18-year-old individual North York, Ont. was arrested and charged with the following:
- Fraud over $5000
- Fraud under $5000
St. Albert RCMP were able to assist in preventing this victim from losing any money, and also identified a second victim, recovering $4000 that the additional victim had paid to the 18-year-old individual for their "grandchild's bail". St. Albert RCMP were able to return the $4000 to the victim.
The 18-year-old individual was released on bail with conditions and his next court appearance is September 12, 2022.
St. Albert RCMP would like to advise the community that bail money can only be paid at a police station or at a court house, and would like community members to contact their grandparents and/or parents to notify them of this to assist in the prevention of further frauds.
If you have any information on any crime, you are asked to contact the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700 or your local police. If you wish 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 available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.