Ottawa police are investigating two incidents in Kanata where suspects used the names and titles of public officials to persuade elderly residents to pay large sums for roofing work that was never completed. Officers say the suspects identified themselves as an Ontario Provincial Police officer and as a judge, using those professional identities to gain trust.
How the scheme worked
According to a police news release, the suspects spoke directly with the victims about roofing services and, by presenting themselves as authority figures, convinced the seniors to hand over tens of thousands of dollars for work that was not delivered as promised. Investigators expressed concern that similar approaches could continue to target older adults in Kanata and neighbouring communities.
Police emphasised that neither judges nor police officers solicit money or contract services from members of the public. Residents were urged to treat unsolicited offers for home repairs — particularly roofing and other construction work — with suspicion.
“If someone claims to be a police officer, government official, or judge and requests money or personal information, independently verify their identity by contacting the organisation directly through publicly listed phone numbers.”
Broader fraud context and recent high‑value scams
Officers linked the Kanata incidents to a larger pattern of scams aimed at older adults. Last year, Ottawa police and the Ontario Provincial Police warned about an updated version of the so‑called "grandparent" fraud in which victims were told they needed to buy and ship large amounts of gold to protect their assets. In those cases, investigators reported two Ottawa victims who were defrauded into buying about $500,000 worth of gold each, and a separate Norfolk County incident with losses near $350,000.
Police describe the gold scheme as a variation on earlier frauds where criminals pretended a relative was in distress and needed money urgently. The new iteration uses pop‑up messages or convincing communications that purport to come from trusted organisations, telling victims that purchasing gold is the only way to safeguard their savings.
Practical advice for Kanata residents
Ottawa police provided several steps residents can take to protect themselves and their family members from similar schemes:
- Do not provide money, cheques or banking details to someone who contacts you unexpectedly, even if they claim to be a judge or police officer.
- Verify the caller’s identity independently using public phone numbers or official websites — do not use contact information provided by the caller.
- Be especially cautious about unsolicited offers for home repairs, roofing, or other contracting services that pressure you to pay up front.
- Talk with family members or a trusted adviser before moving large sums of money or buying expensive goods at someone else’s recommendation.
| Type of impersonation | Reported outcome |
|---|---|
| Posed as OPP officer | Senior paid for roofing work; services not delivered (tens of thousands) |
| Posed as judge | Senior paid for roofing work; services not delivered (tens of thousands) |
| Related gold‑buying fraud (previous year) | Victims lost up to $500,000 in reported Ottawa cases; Norfolk County near $350,000 |
Police are urging anyone who believes they were approached as part of this scheme to contact local authorities immediately. Investigators did not release the identities of the victims and described them only as older adults.
In Kanata, where many neighbourhoods combine older long‑standing communities with newer developments, seniors may be more socially isolated or less comfortable with online verification methods — factors that can increase vulnerability to fraud. Local community groups and family members can play a role by checking in on older residents after any unexpected contact about money or repairs.
Ottawa police continue to investigate the two Kanata incidents and are asking residents with information, or anyone who may have been approached by similar suspects, to come forward. As investigators work to establish whether there are links to other cases, the caution from police is straightforward: independently verify identities and treat unsolicited requests for money or personal information as suspicious.
