Niagara Falls woman charged after alleged romance scam with Hamilton senior

Hamilton police have charged a 58-year-old woman accused of defrauding a man out of a substantial amount of money in a romance scam.

Officers say they began an investigation in December into an alleged romance fraud involving a 75-year-old Hamilton man.

Investigators say the man had met and developed a relationship with the woman last March.

Detectives say over the following months, the woman allegedly convinced the man to provide around $20,000 after claiming she needed financial help to cover her parents’ funeral expenses, with the assurance the money would be repaid.

Police allege the funds were obtained through deception.

READ MORE: Niagara police warn of new fraud scam impersonating Crown Attorney’s Office

Officers arrested Vicky Medalla of Niagara Falls on July 22 and charged her with fraud over $5,000.

Investigators say Medalla was already on two separate forms of judicial release, at the time of her arrest, in connection with similar alleged offences in Kitchener and Hamilton.

They say as a result of the repeated nature of the alleged offences, police opposed her release on bail.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims, and are asking anyone with information to contact police at 905-540-5351.

Tips can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com

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