Waterloo resident added to suspect list in massive ‘grandparent scam’ bust
Posted Oct 11, 2024 08:40:44 AM.
Last Updated Oct 11, 2024 09:57:38 AM.
A 24-year-old from Waterloo is now the fifteenth suspect charged in a massive bust targetting seniors in the “grandparent scam.”
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced on Thursday that Jahzion Holness-Edie was the latest person charged in Project Sharp.
The OPP say the scam begins with a senior with a landline phone getting a call from someone posing as a police officer or lawyer.
The caller claims the victim’s grandchild, or other relative, is in custody and needs bail money from the victim.
If they agree to put up the money, police say a “money mule” comes to pick up the cash. Police say the “mule” is most often an unsuspecting courier.
The OPP say “victims felt emotional distress and fearful of the financial impact on their lives.”
Project Sharp was a 15-month-long investigation involving 11 police services in Ontario and Quebec, along with United States Homeland Security Investigations.
On April 14, OPP announced that 14 suspects had been arrested, with 56 charges laid.
Holness-Edie was charged on Wednesday with fraud over $5,000; criminal organization – participation; and criminal organization – commission of the offence for a criminal organization.
Holness-Edie is the only Ontario person charged, all the other accused are from Quebec.
The OPP says victims of the emergency grandparent scam, or any fraud, should call their local police or CrimeStoppers.
To get in touch with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or by going to antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
