Media Release – December 10, 2025

Guelph senior loses $300k to scam

Residents are again reminded to be cautious when dealing with unknown individuals after a Guelph senior lost more than $300,000 to a scam which continued for a year.

The woman in her 80s reported she was contacted in late 2024 by someone claiming they were investigating her for identity theft. She began receiving calls from someone claiming to represent the Attorney General of Canada, reporting that these calls continued several times a week.

Eventually the caller began providing instructions how to deposit funds at Bitcoin ATM machines, claiming these were part of the fraud investigation and would be returned once the woman was cleared. Throughout much of this year the woman attended ATMs across the city and deposited funds, often thousands of dollars at a time.

When she eventually told her family what was happening they advised her to contact police. The victim acknowledged to police she should have reported it sooner, but was embarrassed it had gone on so long.

Residents are encouraged to be wary of any telephone call, email or text which requires you to take immediate action. It is always best to independently contact the supposed sender and confirm the legitimacy of the correspondence before taking action.

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. Even if no financial loss has been sustained, interactions can still be reported to the CAFC.

Worker intervenes to stop distraction theft

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after a retirement home employee intervened Tuesday morning to prevent a distraction theft.

The complainant explained she drives a bus to drop off senior clients. On Tuesday morning she dropped them off at Willow West Mall, but then observed one client in her 90s approaching a vehicle which had pulled over. The witness saw a woman in the car leaning out and attempting to place a necklace around the client’s neck.

Believing the woman was trying to steal the client’s necklace, the worker intervened. The woman in the car claimed her mother died recently and she was just trying to give away her jewelry before the car sped off.

The vehicle was described as a black Mazda CX5 registered to a Scarborough rental agency. The male driver and two female passengers were described as possibly Middle Eastern and all wearing dark clothing.

Police services across Ontario have seen an increase in these distraction-type thefts. Typically older adults are approached by individuals in a vehicle and engaged in conversation, during which a female passenger will attempt to initiate physical contact by hugging or attempting to place jewelry on the victim. Afterwards the victim realizes their jewelry has been stolen.

Residents should be extremely cautious when approached by individuals not known to them. Try to avoid physical contact and note any identifying information, such as physical descriptions and licence plates. 

Tuesday’s incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Jessica Belcastro at 519-824-1212, ext. 7287, email jbelcastro@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.

Afternoon impaired arrest

A Guelph woman is charged with impaired driving after police received numerous driving complaints Tuesday.

Approximately 1:40 p.m. police began receiving reports of a possible impaired driver in the area of Victoria Road South and Arkell Road. Callers reported a vehicle being driven erratically and almost colliding with other vehicles.

Officers attended the owner’s address, where they spoke to a woman and noted she had slurred speech and an odour of alcohol on her breath. She was arrested and transported to the police station, where tests confirmed she had more than the legal amount of alcohol in her system.

A 79-year-old Guelph woman is charged with impaired driving. Her licence was suspended for 90 days and her vehicle was impounded for seven days. She will appear in court December 19.

The Guelph Police Service would like to encourage the public to consume alcohol and cannabis responsibly. Please don’t drive if you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, and please ensure that you plan ahead so that you have a safe ride home. Anyone who spots a suspected impaired driver is asked to immediately call 911.

Total calls for service in the last 24 hours - 214