Strathmore RCMP is investigating and warning the public of a fraudster who is preying on the local elderly.

RCMP received calls for service on March 15, 2022 in which an unknown person is posing as an RCMP officer who then calls elderly people stating they need bail money to release a grandchild from RCMP custody requesting $10,000 in cash.

The suspect uses the name of the grandchild they are telling the victim who is in custody and is being held on charges. The suspect then instructs the unsuspecting victim to go to a bank and withdraw the large sum of money from their bank and not to let the bank teller know the reason that the money is being withdrawn. The suspect then makes arrangements to come to pick up the money in person near the victim’s residence.

The suspect is described as being approximately 6 feet tall with a stocky build and dressed mostly in black.

Strathmore RCMP would like to remind the public that the RCMP will not attend any residence to collect bail money. Bail money can only be paid at a courthouse or at your local police station. If a member of the public is not sure whether someone is a member of the RCMP, they can contact their local detachment to ensure the legitimacy of an RCMP member’s identity.

Here are a few safety tips to assist:

• If you receive a call from someone claiming they are with the RCMP, get as much information from them as possible and tell them you will call them back. Find the government agencies’ phone number through a trusted source (phone book, or official website) and call the department back. Don’t trust the phone number or email from the caller until you have verified that they are who they say they are;

• Do not share any personal information with the caller, such as name, social insurance number, address, etc.

• The best protection from scammers is to learn how to resist being pushed into a decision regardless of how persuasive or aggressive the scammer may be. Arm yourself and the vulnerable people in your life by learning how to recognize and protect yourself from fraud at Canada’s Anti-Fraud Centre. www.antifraudcentre.ca and http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/scrty/frdprvntn/menu-eng.html.

Please report any attempts of this kind to the Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Strathmore RCMP is asking the public's assistance for any information in relation to this incident(or identifying those responsible). Please contact Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3968 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).