Ontario Provincial Police are warning the public about an incident where a Tecumseh resident fell victim to the so-called "grandparent" scam.
Police said the resident got a call from a person claiming to be a lawyer representing the resident's grandson, who was just arrested for driving while impaired. The lawyer provided the resident with a case file number and a confirmation to make the call sound legitimate.
The victim was told by the caller that his grandson would be brought into court unless the victim paid $9,300. The grandson would then be released.
Soon after, a man driving a black SUV pulled up to the victim's house and collected the money from the victim before leaving.
The man is described as White and in his early 20s, standing 5' 8" with a thin build. He had black hair that was tied back in a ponytail.
The OPP say this type of scam has gotten more and more common.
"Modern, tech-savvy scammers will gather personal information from social media before they ever try to contact you," said OPP Constable Steven Duguay in a media release. "It is imperative to verify any unsolicited contact before you respond and provide information. Keep your guard up when you receive a surprise call from anyone soliciting funds and indicating that a loved one is in jail or has been involved in a serious incident."
Anyone with information about this incident, or who may have had a similar interaction with this person, should call the OPP immediately at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-TIPS (8477).