Canada
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Cops in Durham, York regions nab suspects in grandparent scams

Police departments in the GTA have made arrests in separate grandparent scams.
Police departments in the GTA have made arrests in separate grandparent scams. Photo by iStock /GETTY IMAGES

Police departments in the GTA have made arrests in separate grandparent scams.

Durham Regional Police have charged four suspects after seniors across the GTA were targeted in grandparent scams, resulting in more than $37,000 in losses.

As the Canadian national soccer teams head to their respective FIFA World Cups, Derek Van Diest is on the scene to cover all the action. Expect expert insights and analysis in your inbox daily throughout the tournaments, and weekly on Thursdays for the rest of the season.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

“In each case, the senior victim received a phone call from a person alleging their grandchild was involved in a police investigation, oftentimes an accident. The suspect would tell the victim their grandchild would be held in jail unless cash was provided for their release. The suspect would arrange for a bondsman or courier to attend the home and pick up the money,” police said in a release.

In one case, after the money was received, the victim received another phone call from the suspect stating that more money was required for the grandchild’s release.

The fraud amounts varied from $8,000 to $11,000.

Police have identified three victims and say there may be more.

Dominique Alexander-Connell, 22, of Brampton, is charged with participate in a criminal organization, fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds obtained by crime over $5,000.

Kamar Minto, 20, of Hamilton, is charged with participate in a criminal organization, fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds obtained by crime over $5,000.

David Maah, 23, of St-Laurent, Quebec, is charged with participate in a criminal organization, fraud over $5,000, possession of proceeds obtained by crime over $5,000 and possess forged passport.

Fuad Jama, 27, of no fixed address, is charged with participate in a criminal organization, fraud over $5,000, and possession of proceeds obtained by crime over $5,000.

In another case, on Nov. 24, York Regional police received information that a 73-year-old woman lost $5,000 in a grandparent scam by three people.

The victim received a call from a suspect who said they were a police officer who arrested her grandson and it would cost $9,000 for him to be released from jail.

The suspects then went to the victim’s residence in a vehicle and one collected the $5,000 while other suspect stayed in the vehicle.

After the suspects left, the woman received another phone call that she had to pay an additional $4,000.

  1. Tashanna Daley, 25.

    Woman charged in grandparent scam

  2. A

    GTA family taken for $100,000 in 'grandparent scam'

Police located the suspect vehicle in Brampton before the suspects could take more money from the victim.

Dikran Artin Khano, 22, of Laval, Que., Kaouane Rami, 21, of no fixed address, and Kasson Roker, 19, of Laval, Que. have all been charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and extortion.

Rami and Roker are also charged with fail to comply with a court order.

Anyone with information on these cases are asked to call police.