Toronto residents, especially the elderly in the Russian-speaking community, are being targeted by a dangerous telephone scam, as alerted by the local police.
Scammers are posing as family members, friends, or acquaintances in distress, claiming to be in urgent need due to a fake car accident or medical emergency, and requesting immediate financial aid from their targets.
The victims are instructed to amass significant amounts of cash and hand it over to a stranger at a specified location. In some instances, the fraudster has even shown up in person to collect the money, ensuring that the victims stay on the phone to prevent them from verifying the authenticity of the situation.
Authorities stress the importance of remaining cautious and vigilant in the face of such deceitful calls, urging residents to promptly report any suspicious calls to the police.
It is crucial to remember that in genuine emergencies involving family members, no legitimate entity would ask for cash to be given to strangers.