Provincial police are investigating after a senior southeast of Tillsonburg was defrauded of $10,000 in an emergency scam.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Norfolk County were called to an address along County Road 21 in North Walsingham shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday. When police arrived, they learned that the victim was called last Thursday at around 1:30 p.m. by an individual posing as their grandson saying they were arrested and needed the money for bail.
"The victim attended their financial institution and withdrew the funds and subsequently met with an unknown person claiming to be a police officer at their residence where the funds were turned over," a statement from OPP read.
Police say the senior later spoke with relatives at which point they realized the incident was a scam and contacted authorities.
The investigation is ongoing. Police are asking residents that live on Norfolk County Road 21 that have video surveillance systems, to check their footage from January 19 to see if they captured the suspect or vehicle involved.
Officers are reminding to be vigilant when it comes to unexpected calls, emails or visitors.
"If anyone should receive a call in this manner, please contact your immediate family and inquire if anyone needs assistance," read a news release from OPP officials. "Please do not forward any funds without speaking to family members first. Modern, tech savvy, scammers have personal information about before they ever try to contact you. It is imperative to verify any unsolicited contact before you respond and provide information."
Anyone with information about this or a similar incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).