REGINA — A 27-year-old man from Winnipeg has been charged following an attempted fraud and extortion involving a 73-year-old woman in Regina.
On Feb. 26, police responded to a report of a banking scam. The victim told authorities that while using her computer, it suddenly stopped working and displayed a notification asking her to call a number for Microsoft support. The caller, claiming to be a representative from the company, informed her that her computer, cell phone, landline, and bank account had been hacked.
She was then connected with someone she was told was an employee from her bank. The individual falsely claimed that unless she withdrew all the money from her account, it would be sent to Russia. The scammer also threatened the woman with charges of money laundering and arrest if she revealed the situation. They arranged to pick up the money later that evening.
The woman withdrew as much money as possible but became suspicious and contacted the police, providing the time the suspect would arrive to collect the money. Officers were stationed at the location and arrested the suspect when he arrived. A subsequent search uncovered credit cards not belonging to the suspect.
The man faces charges of fraud over $5,000, extortion, and possession of credit cards. He made his first court appearance in Regina on Feb. 27.
No further details were immideately available.
