$57,000 Grandparent scam in Vaughan leads to charges for Mississauga man

By

Published January 25, 2023 at 1:38 pm

Brampton stolen truck police chase

A man from Mississauga has been charged after an elderly woman in Vaughan was defrauded over $57,000.

In early January, a woman, 67, received calls from at least one man who claimed to be a police officer and a judge. The callers claimed the woman’s grandson had been arrested.

This is a frequent claim in these types of fraud cases, dubbed “grandparent scams” by police. Typically the caller claims the target’s grandchild is in trouble with the law and needs bail money, before sending a “courier” to pick up the cash. Often these scammers will call back later demanding more cash.

Such grandparent scams are commonplace across the GTA with victims in Durham, Halton and Peel Regions, in particular frequently targeted.

After someone came to this victim’s home and picked up the $57,000, she called the police to report the scam on Jan. 18. Days later, on Jan 23. she got another call from a suspect claiming to be a judge.

The caller demanded another $5,000, which would be picked up by a courier.

A man later came to the victim’s home in a car and picked up a package from her. York Regional Police officers pulled a car over nearby and say they found the package inside.

Austin Sztuka, 22 of Mississauga, was arrested and charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime and extortion.

 

 

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising