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Scammer poses as RCMP officer, defrauds grandma of $10K

West Lincoln woman received a phone call from a man pretending to be a police officer, claiming her grandson was in custody and required $10,000 to be released
20210912 Niagara regional police
File photo

NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On Nov. 2, 2022, at 6:54 p.m. Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers assigned to 8 District (Grimsby / West Lincoln) responded to a residential address in the Township of West Lincoln regarding a fraud investigation.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with an elderly female complainant who indicated she received a telephone call earlier in the day from an individual who identified himself as Blair Walker, a police officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), based out of the City of St. Catharines. After explaining the complainant’s grandson had been involved in an accident and in police custody on drug-related offences, a request for $10,000 in cash was made in order to facilitate his release.

Believing her grandson was in trouble, the complainant attended her bank and withdrew the funds as directed. Shortly after, a female suspect arrived at the complainant’s residence and took possession of the $10,000. The complainant later spoke with family members who confirmed her grandson was not involved in an accident and was not in police custody.

The suspect who collected the funds is described as follows:

  • Female
  • White
  • 25 years
  • 5’7” tall
  • Thin build
  • Long black hair
  • Wearing a short black dress
  • Wearing a short black jacket

Detectives assigned to the Central Fraud Unit (CFU) have assumed carriage of the investigation and are appealing to members of the public for assistance. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the lead detective by dialing 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1029487.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

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