Montreal woman arrested linked to Grandparents telephone fraud

Mar 21, 2024

On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 20th, members of the Edmundston Police Force arrested a woman from the Montreal region, Kimberley Westley, who allegedly committed “Grandparents telephone type fraud” in the last few days, in Edmundston.

The 55-year-old woman appeared in Edmundston Provincial Court on Thursday, March 21st, to face obstruction charges. Other charges related to his arrest should be filed during her release hearing, scheduled for next Monday, March 25th at 9:30 a.m., in Edmundston Provincial Court. The accused remains incarcerated until then and the investigation continues in this case.

Last October 2023, the Edmundston Police Force had arrested Sylvestre Lopez, also accused of fraud. Mr. Lopez will stand trial on Thursday, April 4th, 2024, also at the Edmundston Provincial Court.

Victims of this type of fraud suffer considerable monetary losses, amounting to thousands of dollars.

The Edmundston Police Force reminds the population that this type of fraud is increasing in our region, and in the country. Fraudsters work to instill a sense of fear and urgency in people's minds, putting pressure on them to extract money. They often pose as a family member asking for information and/or money to get out of an emergency. The scammers also insist that victims not talk about this situation with people around them.

We remind you that it is very important not to give personal and/or banking information over the telephone or on the internet to anyone who communicates with you under doubtful pretexts.

If you think you have been a victim of any type of fraud, please contact the Edmundston Police Force at 506.739.2100 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Center (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501.

Talk to your parents, your grandparents and tell them to remain vigilant!

-30-

CONTACT: Edmundston Police Force, 506.739.2100