Man faces 20 charges in ‘grandparent scams’ that defrauded victims of $186K: Calgary police

Calgary police have charged a man accused of defrauding more than 20 people out of $186,000 in “grandparent scams” over the span of five weeks.

Officers say they learned of 18 different scams between Aug. 29 and Oct. 3.

The grandparent scams occurred when victims were contacted by an unknown woman using the alias “Linda Jones,” who said she was investigating “suspicious financial transactions” linked to their bank accounts.

She was then given the victims’ bank information along with their PIN codes.

“The woman explained to the victims that a courier would be sent to their homes to retrieve their bank cards in order to expedite the investigation into the suspicious charges she claimed were linked to their accounts,” a police release reads.

Investigators say an unknown man using the alias of “Garry Barnes” or “Norman Weldon” visited the victims’ homes to collect their bank cards and electronics, which included cell phones and iPads.

They then believe the man used the victims’ personal information and bank cards to purchase prepaid Visa cards or luxury goods, or make large cash withdrawals fraudulently.

A consistent physical description from the victims led to police identifying the suspect, who allegedly committed similar offences in B.C. and Ontario.

After Canada-wide warrants were issued, the RCMP in Richmond, B.C., nabbed the suspect, 31-year-old Joshmin Jerrel Garnett, investigators say.

He now faces 20 charges, including 13 for fraud over $5,000 and five for fraud under $5,000, identity theft, and “uttering a forged passport.”

Police say the suspect is expected to appear in court on Jan. 12, 2026.

Calgary police warn of new cyber fraud method

Investigators are also warning of a “sophisticated method of cyber fraud” that involves alleged thieves spoofing emails and phone numbers while impersonating police and bankers.

This comes after a man was scammed on Dec. 10 when an alleged suspect pretended to be a CPS officer — who even provided a fake badge number — and a bank manager, defrauding him of $10,000.

“Technology is making cyber crime more frequent and more complex, with fake phone numbers and email addresses closely mimicking real ones,” police said.

“If someone is unsure of the legitimacy of a phone call, they are encouraged to contact police.”

Officers also remind Calgarians that officers will never ask you to send, withdraw, or move money.

More information on how Calgarians can protect themselves from fraud is available on the CPS website.

“If in doubt, verify the story you are being told by contacting the alleged family member directly or a third-party family member to help,” police said.

Police ask anyone with information about these incidents to call them at 403-266-1234 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.