Follow us on TwitterCharlottetown Police Services responded to a complaint of a grandparent scam Tuesday afternoon (Aug 27).
The complainant reported that his grandmother had been contacted by telephone by a person claiming to be a bail bondsman and that her grandson had been in a car accident involving a pregnant woman and that she had to provide money to get her grandson out of jail. The scammers gave instructions to go to the bank and withdraw $5000 dollars, return home and that someone would attend her residence to pick the money up.
We credit the complainant with calling Police prior to providing money to the scammers. Charlottetown Police Major Crime, Street Crime and Patrol Units assembled surveillance and arrest teams in the general area of the elderly woman’s residence. Shortly after 3:30 pm, a male attended the residence to collect the money and was arrested without incident.
The investigation soon involved Summerside Police Services Major Crime Unit as they were investigating similar occurrences in their City on Monday. In collaboration with Summerside Police, the investigation gleaned that a female was also involved and that they had been traveling in a rental vehicle from New Brunswick.
Late yesterday afternoon, Summerside and Charlottetown Police arrested the female accomplice at a motel in Borden-Carleton. A search warrant was executed inside the motel room where five cells phones, several computer devices and cash were seized as part of the investigation.
The investigation is in the early stages and Police have learned that the duo is under investigation for similar occurrences in Miramichi, Bathurst, Campbelltown and Caraquet New Brunswick.
The names and photographs of the accused’s are being released in the hopes other victims and Police in other jurisdictions may be able to link them to other fraud cases throughout the Atlantic Region.
Luis Liciano David CORTEZ ABARCA, 26 year old male from Chile has been charged with:
- 380(1)(b) – Fraud under $5000 (Charlottetown occurrence)
- 380(1)(a) – Fraud over $5000 (Charlottetown occurrence)
Genesis Javiera CARVAJAL TAPIA, 25 year old female from Chile has been charged with:
- 380(1)(b) – Fraud under $5000 (Charlottetown occurrence)
- 380(1)(a) – Fraud over $5000 (Charlottetown occurrence)
In relation to the Summerside Police Service investigations, it’s anticipated that charges will be laid in Summerside Provincial Court later this afternoon.
Both individuals have appeared in Charlottetown Provincial Court and have been remanded until tomorrow for a Show Cause hearing.
Anyone that believe they have been victimized by these individuals is encouraged to contact your local Police of jurisdiction be it in PEI, NB or NS.
Anyone with information relating to these specific cases are asked to contact Charlottetown or Summerside Police or contact PEI Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
