Halton police make arrest in connection with ‘grandparent scam’

Halton police have arrested a man in relation to a “grandparent scam” being operated in the region.

A “grandparent scam” is a type of fraud that typically involves the victim receiving an unsolicited phone call regarding a loved one being in distress. The perpetrators falsely identify themselves as a loved one, or impersonate a police officer or other participants of the criminal justice system, falsely claiming that the loved one is in police custody as a result of a specific incident.

They then request a large sum of money to have the supposed loved one released from custody, or to pay for associated bills or fines as a result of the alleged incident. Police say the perpetrators will on occasion use the threat of a fictitious “gag order” to prevent the victim from discussing the matter with anyone else.

On June 8, police were made aware of a scam in progress taking place in Georgetown. Officers attended the residence and arrested Kevin Tshiyoyi, 27, of Montreal.

Tshiyoyi has attended the location in order to collect $10,000 cash from a victim for the fake bail of her grandson. He was charged with Fraud over $5,000.

Police say they were able to find a hotel room where Tshiyoyi was staying. They executed a search warrant as an Oakville hotel room where evidence related to additional fraud offences was located.

In total, investigators say they have charged Tshiyoyi with 11 counts of Fraud over $5,000 and Unauthorized Possession of a Credit Card.

Police say total losses by victims in these occurrences is more than $80,000.

Police are asking anyone with additional information to contact police at 905-825-4777 ext. 8741.