Edmonton man charged in Winnipeg grandparent scam investigation

An Edmonton man is facing multiple charges, including fraud over $5,000, fraud under $5,000, and possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl, following a series of grandparent scams in Winnipeg.

Between August 17 and 22, police investigated reports of several seniors in their 80s being targeted by scammers pretending to be their grandchildren. The callers claimed to be in need of bail money. In one instance, a suspect visited a victim's home four times to collect cash, gold, and silver coins. Two other seniors were similarly targeted.

Winnipeg police apprehended a 29-year-old man in a vehicle after a third victim realized the calls were fraudulent. Officers stated they found evidence in the vehicle linking the suspect to all three victims. The man had reportedly traveled from Edmonton to Winnipeg with a female teenager, staying in a short-term rental.