A Calgary man is facing charges after he was arrested by the Strathcona County RCMP.
Jeb Trim, 40, was charged with fraud over $5,000 after allegedly collecting money in a scheme commonly known as "the grandparents scam."
Police say on May 9, the victim received a call from a man claiming to be their grandson who needed $8,000 USD for bail money. Another male, claiming to be a police officer, corroborated the story, saying their grandson had been arrested for drug possession and required bail money before being released from jail.
The scammers added that a courier would go to the victim's residence to obtain the money and forward it to law enforcement.
A male did end up coming to the victim's residence to obtain the money, and the victim later determined it was fraud after speaking to their grandson.
The following day they received another phone call requesting more money and arranged another pick up at the same residence. The victim contacted police to report the scam, and police arrested the male when he turned up at the home.
RCMP warn the public that sharing too much of your personal life on public social media accounts can make you an easy target for these scammers.
They also advise you to never share sensitive information over the phone without adequately verifying who it is you're speaking to.
Trim was released from custody following a Judicial Interim Release hearing and is scheduled to appear in Sherwood Park Provincial Court on June 1.