Two Quebecers have been arrested for defrauding seniors in Saanich, on Vancouver Island, north of Victoria.
According to at least three local media outlets, the two suspects, a 26-year-old Montreal man and a 24-year-old woman from Quebec City, were arrested by Richmond RCMP at Vancouver International Airport on February 29.
The two defendants are accused of fraud in two cases. Global News, Victoria Buzz and Nanaimo Bulletin said they appeared in Richmond court on Friday.
As of evening, the RCMP had not released the identities of the defendants or indicated whether they were known to authorities.
Saanich police had filed an appeal with a description of one of the suspects in the days before their arrest.
The suspects are said to have committed a “grandparent scam” type scam.
This is a telephone scam in which people try to pose as family members in distress, saying that they urgently need financial help.
The scenario aims to trigger fear responses and create a sense of urgency to act.
In British Columbia, the two Quebecers are said to have caused victims a loss of more than $27,000.
The scam started with a phone call, but instead of requesting a bank transfer, a person showed up to pick up cash, police said.