A man from Ontario is facing fraud charges after a concerned grandparent called St. Albert RCMP over a potential scam in July.
Issa Lopez, 18, of North York, Ont., was arrested and charged with fraud over $5,000 and fraud under $5,000 on July 29, RCMP said in a statement released on Aug. 18.
St. Albert RCMP received a call from a concerned grandparent, who told officers a request had been made for the grandparent to pay $9,800 bail for a grandchild who was allegedly in custody. The grandparent had been waiting at home with money for someone to come and collect the cash, RCMP said in the release.
Officers recognized the scenario as a "grandparent scam" and arrived at the residence, where Lopez was arrested.
RCMP were able to prevent the grandparent from losing any money, and also identified a second victim. The second victim had allegedly paid $4,000 to the accused, also for bail for a grandchild they were told was in custody, according to the release. St. Albert RCMP were able to return the $4,000 to the victim.
Lopez was released on bail with conditions and is set to appear in court on Sept. 12.
Bail money can only be paid at a police station or at a courthouse, RCMP said in the release. St. Albert RCMP is recommending residents contact their grandparents and/or elderly parents to notify them of this to assist in the prevention of grandparent fraud.
