Two Arrested in Urgent Regina Scam Targeting Seniors

BREAKING: Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a widespread scam targeting seniors in the Regina area. The Regina Police Service (RPS) has charged 50-year-old Ciprian Teodor and 40-year-old Alexandra Condurache from Quebec with five counts of fraud, following a coordinated investigation that revealed alarming details about the scam’s operation.

Authorities confirmed that there are at least five victims in Regina and one in the nearby White Butte area, with total losses exceeding $70,000 across Saskatchewan. So far, police have managed to recover approximately $20,000 of the defrauded funds.

The scam, commonly known as a grandparent scam, involves callers posing as relatives in distress, demanding immediate financial assistance to resolve a fabricated emergency. Police reports indicate that the suspects were responsible for collecting cash from vulnerable victims, making their actions particularly egregious.

“[Saskatoon Police Service] were able to obtain a possible suspect photo, and we continued our investigation here and ended up finding that same individual,” said Sgt. David Krieger from RPS. “We were able to determine that they were responsible for picking up cash from a number of victims.”

This urgent situation highlights the need for increased awareness and cooperation among law enforcement agencies. “These types of crimes cross borders and jurisdictions, whether it be international or provincial,” stated Staff Sgt. Micheal Shortland from the RCMP. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in identifying both victims and suspects to effectively conclude these cases.

Police are urging the public to remain vigilant and educate family members about the dangers of phone scams. Victims often experience trauma and shame, which can prevent them from coming forward. “If we don’t know it’s going on, we can’t investigate,” Shortland added, stressing the critical need for community reporting.

Residents are encouraged to be cautious of anyone asking for personal or payment information. It’s crucial to remember that once funds are sent in these scams, recovery is extremely difficult.

As the investigation continues, authorities are alerting the community to the possibility of more unreported grandparent scams. Police urge anyone who feels they may have been targeted to contact them immediately.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as police work to dismantle this fraudulent network and protect vulnerable citizens from further scams.