(St. John’s, NL), March 7, 2023 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) have laid additional charges in relation to a recent fraud scheme in the province.

The RNC Economic Crime Unit (ECU) have laid charges in relation to an additional seven events linked to a fraud scheme operating in the province from February 28 to March 2. The scheme involved a phone call to a resident with a caller stating they were a grandchild in need, followed by a supposed public official stating that a payment was required to release the individual from an arrest. This fraud is known as a ‘grandparent’ scam. This scheme targets senior citizens, intent on obtaining large sums of cash in a short period of time.

The accused, 23-year-old Charles GILLEN, now faces an additional 27 charges, including fraud over $5000.00, extortion, conspiracy to commit an offence, and disguise with intent. GILLEN remains in custody, and will appear in provincial court today in relation to these charges.

This investigation is ongoing, and the RNC Criminal Investigation Division has assembled a Major Case Management Team (MCMT) to investigate this large-scale fraud scheme, which is believed to span across the country. Officers are collaborating with police services nationwide to support the investigation of these events. The investigative team is requesting that anyone with information, or feel they may have been victimized by this scheme, to contact the RNC to provide information.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary ECU and Canadian Anti Fraud Centre offer some helpful tips to prevent fraud from happening to you or your loved ones.

• If you receive a call from anyone claiming to be law enforcement, looking to obtain personal information, end the conversation and contact you’re the police agency directly
• Anyone seeking large transactions of cash within a short time period is to be deemed suspicious.
• Use caution posting online. Fraudsters can gather information from your social media accounts that will make their claims of sound legitimate.
• Don’t trust a number just because it is local or familiar. Fraudsters may use technology that will disguise their actual contact.
• If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be a family member who has been arrested, in hospital, or in an emergency requiring immediate money transfers, hang up the phone and contact the person and/or agencies mentioned directly.
• If you receive any type of unsolicited mail, phone call, email or text messages that asks for any type of personal information, do not respond and delete or discard it immediately.
• If you are conducting any type of business online or over the phone to make sure you know who you are dealing with.

The community is reminded that the province’s 8-1-1 mental health crisis line is available to those experiencing stress or mental health crisis as a result of this matter.

Anyone with information regarding these type of scams, or any similar incidents, is asked to contact the RNC at 729-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can now provide information anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers Website at www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app #SayItHere

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Cst. James. C. Cadigan  #775
Media Relations & Public Communication
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca