Information posted March 10, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

The following is quoted from the Halton Police website to help ensure all seniors are aware of this particular type of criminal activity.

Senior Victimized in Depicable Scheme

An 88-year-old Georgetown woman has been victimized in an appalling scheme that is designed to confuse the elderly into parting with their own funds.

On February 26, 2013 the victim received a telephone call from a man claiming to be from her financial institution.

The man told the victim that $4400.00 had been withdrawn from her bank account and he suspected a bank teller was involved.

He asked her to attend the branch and withdraw $4400.00 from a ‘dummy’ account that had been set up, in an effort to catch the bank teller in the act. He instructed her not to touch the money, but to ensure it was put into an envelope so they could get the bank teller’s fingerprints.

The victim did so and returned home to await further instructions from the alleged bank employee.

The man later called her and instructed her to meet him in the mall parking lot on Guelph Street and told her his name was Mr. Price. The victim waited in her vehicle and a man approached who identified himself as Mr. Price, took possession of the envelope containing the money and told her an arrest would be made.

Following the encounter, the victim returned home and in looking through her bank book, discovered the only money missing from her account was that that she withdrew when told to do so by the alleged bank employee.

The suspect is described as white, approximately 60 years of age, short in stature and a slim build. He was wearing ‘casual’ clothing, dark coloured jacket and possibly a hat. 

Residents are reminded that bank employees would never contact clients in this manner or seek their participation in an investigation. If you are the recipient of such a phone call, contact the police to report the incident.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the One District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 x2415, Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes).