Niagara Police bust Toronto pair in Welland ‘grandparent scam’
Published August 25, 2022 at 11:09 am
Two Toronto men were charged by Niagara Police after trying to con a Welland man in the “grandparent scam.”
On August 23, Niagara Police started investigating the case of a Welland man in his 80s, who was contacted by a suspect claiming to be his grandchild.
The “grandchild” was in legal trouble and needed $9,000 to pay his way out of the situation. A second suspect, claiming to be a lawyer, then came on the phone and suggested the situation was dire.
Believing it was his grandchild, the man went to the bank and collected the $9,000. Later, a “courier” came to his house to get the cash.
However, the Welland senior became suspicious when he received another call the next day, saying the “grandchild” needed $10,000 more and subsequently, he contacted the police.
The suspects returned to pick up more money with success. Their car, a grey 2007 Honda Civic (see photo below), was stopped by police on Highway 406 near the Toronto-bound QEW in St. Catharines.
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Souleymane Camara, 24, and Enio Martins, 23, (shown below) have each been charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000.
They were both held in custody, attended a video bail hearing yesterday (August 24) and were released from custody with a future court date.
Since the investigation is ongoing, police released the accused photos, as well as photos of the car, since they believe there may be more victims in the Niagara area and possible witnesses.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives of the Central Fraud Unit by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009487.
