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Northern Ontario

Montreal suspects charged with grandparent scams in northern Ont.

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The Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release there were three victims of grandparent scams in the last week in Iroquois Falls, Ont.

Two people from Montreal have been charged with fraud offences after victims in Iroquois Falls, Ont., were scammed out of $10,000.

The Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release there were three victims of grandparent scams in the last week.

Police were alerted to the first case Jan. 22.

“Between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., the South Porcupine OPP responded to a fraud where the suspect called a residence in Iroquois Falls requesting money for their grandson that had been in a car accident,” police said.

“On Jan. 23 … at approximately 11:12 a.m., the South Porcupine OPP responded to a fraud where the suspect called two separate residences in Iroquois Falls, requesting money for their grandson who was currently in custody.”

Charged is a 53-year-old man from Montreal, who faces four counts of fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Jan. 29.

The second suspect, a 53-year-old woman from Montreal, was also charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on March 13.

“If you or someone you know may have been the victim of an emergency scam, contact your local police service or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS),” police said.

For more information on protecting yourself from fraud, click here.