Media Release – November 22, 2024
Senior scammed out of $13,000
The Guelph Police Service reminds residents to be very cautious when dealing with unknown people on the phone, after a Guelph senior was scammed out of $13,000.
Police were contacted Thursday. A woman in her 70s reported she received a phone call Tuesday from someone claiming to be from her bank. The caller said the victim’s accounts had been compromised and asked her to confirm her card numbers and PIN numbers. The unknown male said a courier would attend to collect the victim’s cards and new ones would be issued.
Later that day, a male attended the victim’s address and was given her debit and credit cards. She later realized more than $13,000 had been withdrawn or charged against the cards.
The suspect was described as approximately 5’10” with dark skin and wearing a black and yellow high-visibility vest and medical mask and was carrying a clipboard.
Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Louis Kittel at 519-824-1212, ext. 7589, email lkittel@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
Residents are encouraged to be wary of any telephone call, email or text which requires you to take immediate action. It is always best to independently contact the supposed sender and confirm the legitimacy of the correspondence before taking action. Never provide personal information to someone you don’t personally know.
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. Even if no financial loss has been sustained, interactions can still be reported to the CAFC.
Trailer stolen from business then recovered
The Guelph Police Service is investigating after a trailer was stolen from one business and later recovered behind another.
Just before 8:30 a.m. Thursday, police were contacted by City of Guelph Bylaw officers who had attended a business near Elmira Road South and Paisley Road for reports of an abandoned trailer.
Surveillance video showed a red Ram pickup driving behind the business earlier in the morning while towing the trailer, which had a silver Chevrolet Silverado on it. Two males were observed driving the Silverado off the trailer, then unhooking the trailer from the Ram and driving away in both pickups.
Both were described as white males wearing masks over the bottom half of their faces. One was wearing a grey jacket and dark pants and the second was wearing a blue jacket, hoodie and dark pants.
Investigation revealed the trailer had been stolen several hours earlier from outside a business on Speedvale Avenue West.
Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Matthew Neault at 519-824-1212, ext. 7601, email mneault@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
Total calls for service in the last 24 hours - 247