A Quebec man has been found guilty in connection with a series of “grandparent scams” that targeted seniors on Vancouver Island last year.
According to Saanich Police, 28-year-old Karim Haddouche pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud over $5,000 after investigators linked him and an accomplice to scams in both Saanich and Nanaimo.
The investigation started on February 28th, 2024, when Saanich Police’s Major Crime Unit received reports from two seniors who had been tricked by callers pretending to be family members in urgent need of bail money.
After agreeing to pay, the victims were visited at home by a young woman posing as a bail bondsperson, who collected the money.
Detectives quickly identified the suspects and, with the help of Richmond RCMP, arrested Haddouche and 24-year-old Kelyanne Gagne at Vancouver International Airport on February 29th, 2024, as they were about to board a flight to Quebec.
Related:
- Two arrested after ‘grandparent scams’ in Saanich saw thousands of dollars stolen
- Grandparent scam dupes three Saanich residents out of over $20,000
Police later found out that the pair was also involved in two similar scams in Nanaimo. In total, four Vancouver Island seniors lost over $43,000.
Haddouche pleaded guilty on September 16th of this year and has been ordered to fully repay the stolen funds. Police say the money is now being returned to the victims.
Gagne is still in court and is scheduled to appear again on September 29th.
“Scams targeting seniors are alarmingly common, with millions of dollars lost each year and only a small fraction recovered and returned to victims. With this case, knowing that the funds are being returned is a great feeling,” said Det. Cst. Misha Smirnov, Saanich Police fraud investigator.
Police continue to warn the public about variations of the “grandparent scam,” urging people to pause, verify, and speak to someone they trust before handing over money.
For more information on fraud prevention, resources are available through the Financial Crimes section of the Saanich Police website or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
