To: Media
From:Sgt. Darren Strongman #28
Date: 14 January 2011
For immediate release
Telephone Scam Hits Port Hope…AGAIN
Port Hope Police are warning residents about telephone scam artists defrauding elderly residents. On the 14th of January, an elderly female received a call from someone purporting to be her grandson. He told the lady that he had been involved in an accident and needed money wired through western union to a Toronto Address. The grandmother, who is 90 years old, was suspicious and notified other family members. The grandson was fine and not injured.
Police are warning residents not to wire money under these circumstances until they can prove legitimately it is a loved one who needs help. Police believe that scam artists are using internet phone numbers that are difficult to trace. They could be calling from anywhere in the world and as long as there is a confirmation number provided through western union the money can be picked up anywhere in the world. In this case no money was wired.