Lottery scam defrauds victims $200,000 across Canada, Brampton man charged
Published February 7, 2023 at 3:42 pm
Elderly victims from across Canada fell prey to a lottery scam allegedly coming from a Brampton man.
Multiple elderly victims say they were contacted on the phone and convinced that they had won a lottery sweepstakes, Peel Regional Police said in a press release.
The victims were instructed to send funds to cover fees to collect their winnings, police said. They were allegedly promised millions of dollars in cash and vehicles.
The alleged lottery scam targeted vulnerable elderly victims from 2018 to 2022. The fraud totals more than $200,000.
Javaune Ledgister, 27, from Brampton was charged with possession of property obtained by crime, police said.
He was released on an undertaking and is to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on March 27.
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Investigators believe there may be more victims within the GTA and beyond.
The Peel Regional Police Fraud Bureau say the most vulnerable people are often targeted, manipulated, and taken advantage of in many fraud-related schemes for the fraudster’s profit.
Scammers will use any means necessary to convince you that their requests are legitimate, police say.
Protect yourself, and always avoid sending money or personal information to someone you haven’t met; for more tips on preventing fraud, visit www.antifraudcentre-
Anyone with information on this matter should contact the Fraud Bureau at (905) 453-3311, ext. 3335. Information may also be left anonymously through Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or peelcrimestoppers.ca.
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