Saskatoon police arrest two more Quebec men in connection with scams

Police in Saskatoon have arrested two more Quebec men in connection with a series of scams.

Police say the family emergency scam typically involves someone contacting a victim, often a senior, and pretending to be a relative in desperate need of money to cover an urgent expense like medical bills or bail.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man from Quebec on Tuesday and charged him with seven counts of fraud over $5,000. On Wednesday, police said two more Quebec men were arrested after a police officer spotted them in a vehicle believed to be connected to the frauds.

The two men arrested Wednesday — aged 25 and 26 — were each charged with 10 counts of fraud over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

The man arrested on Tuesday is now facing three more charges of fraud over $5,000, bringing his total to 10 as well.

“The amount fraudulently stolen from victims is now in excess of $100,000,” police said in a statement. “The investigating is ongoing and additional charges may be laid.”

Fraudsters take advantage of urgency and panic when trying to coerce money from their victims, police said.

“Always use extreme caution, especially when being asked to send a form of currency,” police cautioned.

Anyone who suspects fraud should report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, police said, even if they have not been a victim. Anyone who has been the victim of fraud was asked to make a report to police.