Arrests related to grandparent fraud continue to occur across Canada

Police have made another arrest in connection with a group that targets victims across Canada.

On April 18, 2024, members of Project Sharp, consisting of 11 police departments in Ontario and Quebec, announced the results of their 15-month investigation into individuals who defrauded victims using the “Emergency Grandparents” scam.

The targets were seniors with a landline phone who believed they were speaking to an officer or an attorney who claimed the victim’s grandchild or family member was in custody. Bail has been sought for the release of the family member. In most cases, “money mules” (unsuspecting couriers) were used to collect large amounts of money from victims. Victims experienced emotional stress and fear of the financial impact on their lives.

On October 9, 2024, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Racket Unit and Criminal Investigation Branch arrested Jahzion HOLNESS-EDIE, 24, of Waterloo and charged him with the following criminal code Crimes:

• Criminal organization – involvement, 476.11 (1)
• Criminal Organization – Penalty Commission for Criminal Organizations, 467.12 (1)
• Fraud over $5,000, 380 (1)

The defendant was released and is scheduled to appear in Ottawa Court on November 6, 2024.

Project Sharp is a joint force operation led by the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), with support from the Sûreté du Québec, Halton Regional Police Service, York Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, Hamilton Police Service , the Peel Regional Police and the Durham Regional Police Service includes Service, Ottawa Police Service, Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal, Service de Police de Laval and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario. Additional support was provided by the United States Homeland Security Investigations, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Canada (FINTRAC), and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

“Emergency grandparent fraud not only causes significant financial losses, but also inflicts emotional trauma on victims. It is critical that we address these frauds together as many of our loved ones are at risk. “We urge everyone to speak to loved ones at risk and encourage victims to report incidents to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre,” said Detective Inspector Sean Chatland of the OPP Criminal Investigation Division.

Anyone who suspects that they are a victim of the Emergency Grandparent Scam If there is a scam or fraud, please contact local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca. You can also contact the The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center online reporting system or call 1-888-495-8501. For resources on scams and scams, see antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

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