Halifax police charge man behind scam targeting seniors

CITYnews halifax / By Chris Halef

Regional police have charged a man in connection to scam targeting seniors.

According to Halifax Regional Police (HRP), between May and June, officers responded to five incidents of scams that aimed to defraud seniors.

Police said in each incident, a person pretending to be a family member called, saying they needed bail money, while another suspect, posing as a person of authority, gave instructions on how the money would be collected.

In Canada, law enforcement and court officials will not attend to collect money in relation to bail.

Last Friday, police arrested 25-year-old Tarun Verma and laid a number of charges including:

• Fraud under $5,000
• Fraud over $5,000
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

Verma appeared in provincial court on Monday to face those charges.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police are reminding people to be suspicious of emails or calls asking for money, adding scammers can spoof phone numbers and make it appear as though they’re calling from a trusted source.

Anyone who has been a victim of fraud can report it by contacting police or Crime Stoppers.