Quebec man Jean-François Gagnon is accused of robbing 55 vulnerable victims – average age of 80 – of about $200,000.
A joint investigation involving 26 police forces across Québec resulted in his arrest Dec. 20 in Saint-Calixt for banking fraud. The alleged incidents linked to Gagnon occurred in 29 different towns and cities across Québec since January 2023.
Sûreté du Québec police say the victims were robbed over a nine-month period.
“False representative” fraud is consists of calling a senior on their home line pretending to be a representative of a financial institution. During the call, the representative mentions having spotted potential fraud in the victim’s bank account. In order to remedy this situation, the victim must hand over their bank cards as well as the personal identification number (PIN) of their cards to the false representative. An accomplice comes to the complainant’s house to collect the cards which have been left in the mailbox or which are delivered by hand by the victim. Some fraudsters go to a banking institution to withdraw money from bank accounts, while others make various purchases. Some do both.
In the spring of 2023, a new scam appeared. The “false representative” mentions that the police are investigating the fraud and that the cards must be handed over to the police for the investigation and that it will be an undercover police officer who collects the bank cards. In some cases, a fake police officer also speaks to the victim on the phone to reassure the victim and add credibility to the scheme.
The Economic Crimes Investigation Division’s mandate is to investigate network fraud or economic crimes, or those with provincial or extra-provincial ramifications, targeting the public, financial institutions, businesses or private organizations. Through its provincial coordination, the division ensures that it offers optimal support to municipal police units and forces in processing financial crime cases under their responsibility.
Quebec police remind you that any information on criminal acts or suspicious events can be communicated to the Criminal Information Center of the Sûreté du Québec at 1 800 659-4264.
