Fraud
A local resident is out approximately $2,000. On Wednesday January 17th 2024, St. Thomas police were contact by a local resident who wish to report a suspicious incident. Through investigation police learned the individual had been receiving text messages from someone claiming to be there Daughter, who lives out of the area and had recently got a new phone number. After back and forth communication, money was sent via e-transfer to the suspect claiming to be the Daughter of the victim. The victim received a phone call from their Daughter later in the day leading to the realization, they had been scammed. This remains under investigation. ST24000813
Protecting yourself from Scams
Emergency scams or the “Grandparent” scams continue to be a concern. These types of scams can target anyone, not just seniors or “grandparents”. These incidents prey on the victims fear of a loved one being hurt or in trouble and needing help. Examples of this includes the caller needing bail money because they’ve been arrested, being in a car accident or that the caller is having trouble returning from a vacation or foreign country. Reports are showing a new variation where fraudsters contact potential victims via email or text message, claiming to be a loved one asking for a favour. For this favour, they’ll ask you to send money or gift cards.
These fraudsters will:
- Claim to be law enforcement officials, lawyers and impersonate the grandchild/family member
- Use urgency and threats to convince you to take out money
- Claim that there is a “gag order” preventing you from speaking about the situation or calling police
- If you agree to pay the requested amount (cash or cryptocurrency), fraudsters will arrange to pick up the funds in person or will ask you to send cash in the mail
How to protect yourself:
- If you receive a phone call claiming to be from a family member in an emergency situation, hang up the phone and contact them directly using a phone number you already have – not one provided by the suspected fraudster.
- If the caller claims to be a law enforcement official, hang up and call the St. Thomas Police Service directly 519-631-1224
- Be suspicious of telephone calls that require you to immediately act and request money for a family member in distress
- If “This doesn’t sound right” – it likely isn’t. Call police.
- It is important to know the Canadian Criminal Justice System does not allow for someone to be bailed out of jail with cash or cryptocurrency
- Be careful what you post online
- Scammers can get details that you shared on social media platforms and dating sites to target you or get names and details about your loved ones
- Don’t trust caller ID names and numbers.
- Scammers use technology to disguise the actual number they are calling from and can make it appear as a trusted phone number
Information on common scams and how to protect yourself can be found here
Warrant arrests
A 28 year old St. Thomas resident has been arrested. On Wednesday January 18th 2024, officers located the individual known to them to be wanted on an outstanding probation warrant. The individual was arrested and transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released on appearance notice. ST24000776
A 44 year old St. Thomas resident has been arrested. On Wednesday January 17th 2024, officers on community patrol located the individual known to them to be wanted on an outstanding warrant for Breach of Probation and Assault Peace Officers. The 44 year old was arrested and transported to police headquarters where they were processed and held for court. As a result of the court appearance, the individual was remanded into custody. ST24000781
A 32 year old London resident has been arrested. On Wednesday January 17th 2024, STPS were contacted by London Police who had the individual in custody on the strength of our warrant for Failure to Comply with Release Order. Officers attended London to take custody of the 32 year old and returned to St. Thomas police headquarters. The individual was processed and released on an undertaking with a future court date. ST24000788
A 35 year old St. Thomas resident has been arrested. On Wednesday January 17th 2024, officers on community patrol the individual known to them to be wanted on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Comply with Probation Order. The 35 year old was processed and released on an appearance notice. ST24000795
A 33 year old St. Thomas resident has been arrested. On Wednesday January 17th 2024, officers located the individual know to the them to be wanted on an outstanding warrant with our service stemming for several incidents in 2023. The 33 year old was arrested and transported to police headquarters where they were processed and held for a morning court appearance. ST24000802
