Peel police have charged two people in relation to a scamming operation that targeted older, Polish-speaking victims.

The scam, according to police, would begin with a phone call from someone claiming they were a relative of the victim or old friend from Poland, and telling them they are in trouble and need money.

“They insist to the victim that this is an urgent and embarrassing matter and they do not want any other family members to know,” Peel police wrote in a press release.

Police said the “trouble” cited could differ in scenarios: the caller could say they had been in a car accident or were hospital-ridden, arrested for drunk driving or trapped in another country, or had won a lottery but have to pay taxes or fees to receive the money, among other variations.

On Monday, a 54-year-old man from Mississauga was charged with defrauding the public, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of identity documents and obstructing police. A 48-year-old woman from Mississauga was also charged with defrauding the public and possession of property obtained by crime.

Anyone with information or questions regarding this type of scam is asked to contact the Fraud Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 3335. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.

David Venn is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @davidvenn_

Read more about: