(FRENCH RIVER, ON) – Police charged two people in relation to a fraud investigation.
On March 14, 2025, the Nipissing West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began a fraud investigation where a victim lost approximately $6,000, in relation to what is known as the “Emergency/Grandparents Scam”, in the French River area.
With the assistance of the Greater Sudbury Police Service, officers were able to identify and charged the involved individuals.
As a result of the investigation, Benjamin ALEXANDER, 42 years-of-age and Sagar SHARMA, both from Sudbury, were charged with:
- Fraud over $5000
- Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Laundering proceeds of crime
Both accused were held for Bail Court, then released and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on April 16, 2025, in Sudbury.
How the schemes work:
In the typical emergency/grandparent scam, the victim will receive a frantic phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild or loved one. The caller will explain that they are involved in some sort of mishap like a car accident, in police custody, or are having trouble returning from a foreign country and need money right away. The scammer will often insist that the victim does not tell anyone. The call could also involve someone claiming to be a law enforcement official, lawyer, or bailiff.
Be careful what you post online. Scammers can use details shared on social media platforms and dating sites. They can search your online accounts to find real names, real interests, real phone numbers and when you are going to be home or away.
Be aware of some warning signs:
- Urgency: The scammer always makes the request sound very urgent, which may cause the victim to not verify the story.
- Fear: The scammer plays on the victim’s emotions by generating a sense of fear. For instance, they may say, “I am scared, and I need help from you.”
- Secrecy: The scammer pleads with the victim not to tell anyone about the situation, such as, “Please don’t tell Dad, he would be so mad.”
- Request for Money: Money can be requested by money transfer or in some cases the scammer sends someone to your home to pick up the payment.
To avoid becoming a victim, check with another family member or trusted friend to verify the information before sending money or providing credit card information by phone or email.
Important reminders from the OPP
- The OPP’s non-emergency number is for incoming calls only.
- The OPP will never contact the public to demand cryptocurrency or funds in connection with money laundering or major criminal investigations.
- The toll-free OPP number 1-888-310-1122 is available 24/7 for non-emergency calls in Ontario.
- This number also serves as a TTY (teletypewriter) service for the hearing impaired and is accessible 24/7 for both emergency and non-emergency calls.
