This week, Rimbey RCMP detachment responded to a number of calls for service including theft, fraud, and breach of Probation Orders, domestic violence and other serious matters.
Often, we deal with difficult situations that even make us shed a tear once the dust has all settled. Every now and then, we encounter cases that are just plain upsetting. In one such case, a despicable human being from parts unknown defrauded an elderly person out of their hard earned money.
A retired senior citizen received a phone call recently from her so-called grandson who was allegedly in jail and needed money to help pay for a collision he was in. He did not want his parents to know and he only needed $2,000. Concerned for her loving grandson, who had always been on the straight and narrow, she complied with his request and sent him the $2,000. Shortly after, his lawyer called and stated he still needed some more money for some unforeseen additional charges and then he would be released from custody.
They were very convincing, however, this widow just didn't have any more money to give so she called her daughter and found out that her son was away at work and was never in any trouble.
She had been scammed.
These fraudsters had tricked the poor woman out of her savings and were long gone with the loot. Unfortunately, they were never in Canada in the first place leaving police little opportunity for an arrest.
In today's world, a person's identity and personal information is readily available on the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, it is just that - the "world wide web". The last fraud we investigated such as this led us to Africa where the trail of evidence left behind by the criminals ran dry in a country where no one even has a birth certificate or any other form of identification.
It was a country run by organized crime groups and the environment is very hostile. In that case, the victim's money, no doubt, was used to fund their violent acts against humanity. These characters have no ethics, morals or honesty. They do not care who the victim is.
Please protect yourself and never send money by a wire transfer unless you are 100 per cent sure who it is you are sending it to. A wire transfer is not traceable and is one of the most common methods used by criminals. For more information, go online to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for a list of common scams, fraud awareness tips and how to report a fraud or call the toll free # at 1-888-495-8501.
Recently, many folks in town have had their vehicles rummaged through by opportunistic thieves in the middle of the night. Please ensure you never leave your car unlocked. Do not leave valuables in your unattended vehicle at any time. Recently, we arrested a car thief who blatantly stated in the interrogation that he did not feel that we could even charge him for theft because the owner of the truck had left his keys in the console. The thief in this case found out we can and will charge him with theft, however, you don't want to own a car after this character had been behind the wheel! Take precautions... protect yourself. Lock it up!
If you have any information regarding these or any other crimes, please call the local Rimbey RCMP Detachment at (403) 843-2224 or Crime Stoppers:
PHONE: 1-800-222-8477
#8477 on Telus Mobility
*8477 on Rogers AT&T
Crime Stoppers is a community program that does work! Do your part and call now.