In a major crackdown, police have arrested 14 individuals in Montréal connected to a sophisticated scam operation that targeted seniors across Canada, with a significant focus on Ontario residents. The scam, known as the emergency grandparent scam, involved fraudsters calling elderly individuals, falsely claiming to be law enforcement or legal representatives, and stating that a family member was in urgent need of bail money.
The operation, dubbed Project Sharp, was spearheaded by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in collaboration with 11 other police services from Ontario and Quebec, including prominent forces like Toronto Police and Ottawa Police. The investigation revealed that since February 2022, the criminal group has amassed over $2.2 million from unsuspecting victims, exploiting their concern for loved ones.
Police reports indicate that the scammers often deployed “money mules” to collect the extorted funds directly from the victims, who were misled into believing a non-existent gag order prevented them from discussing the situation with anyone. This deceit was part of a well-orchestrated effort to manipulate and isolate the victims to prevent them from seeking help.
From early January to April 2024 alone, 126 individuals fell victim to this fraudulent scheme, suffering losses amounting to approximately $739,000. Despite these significant losses, law enforcement and banking partners have successfully intercepted and recovered over $559,000.
The victims, whose ages range from 46 to 95, were predominantly from Ontario. In response to these crimes, the victims received support and educational resources on fraud prevention to help safeguard against future incidents.
The arrested individuals, all residents of Quebec and aged between 24 and 36, face multiple charges, including participation in organized crime, fraud, extortion, and identity theft. As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone who believes they may have been targeted by this or any other scam to come forward and report their experiences to their local police, the OPP, or through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s reporting systems.