Man in custody in N.L. charged in fake bail scam targeting seniors in Halifax

Halifax Regional Police have laid 13 charges against an Ontario man they allege is part of a criminal organization that targeted seniors to defraud them of thousands of dollars earlier this year.

In five reported incidents in January and February of this year, someone called the victims pretending to be a family member who had been arrested. Another person then got on the phone saying they were a member of the legal system and told the victim they need to provide money to secure their loved one’s release.

In some of the cases, the suspects then made arrangement to pick up the money in person. In two instances, the suspects identified themselves as police officers.

Const. John MacLeod said 23-year-old Charles Gillen has been charged with five counts each of fraud over $5,000, and possession of property obtained by crime over $,5,000, and single counts of use or possession of a stolen credit card, participating in a criminal organization and conspiracy to commit fraud.

Gillen was served with court paperwork earlier this year while in custody in Newfoundland.

“He was arrested in Newfoundland in relation to files that they had. He was already in custody. We just facilitated the paperwork and court date for him back here,” MacLeod said.

The charges were filed in court here in the past week.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary arrested Gillen at St. John’s International Airport on March 2 as he was allegedly attempting to leave the province with cash connected to similar crimes there.

He is facing more than 40 charges in Newfoundland and Labrador: 13 each of extortion, fraud over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, as well five counts of wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime and single counts of impersonating a peace officer and fraud.

Police there say they received more than a dozen complaints and at least eight senior citizens lost a combined $200,000 the so-called grandparents scam over a three-day period between Feb. 28 and March 2.

He has been denied bail three times on the charges there and remains in custody.

He is scheduled to for election or plea on Nov. 20 in Dartmouth provincial court on the local charges. 

MacLeod said they received more than five complaints earlier this year, but so far the five Halifax charges are the only ones they’ve connected to Gillen.

“We still have a number of outstanding files we’re working on, but these are the ones specifically that we’re able to lay charges against this individual,” he said.

MacLeod said they believe other people are involved, leading to the criminal organization charge.

MacLeod said police continue to remind people that no one in the legal system will make a call demanding money for the bail or the release of someone, and will never go to their home to pick up money. While people may be asked if they are willing to post bail for someone who is in trouble with the law, that process takes place in the courtroom before a judge.

Police say anyone receiving a call from someone saying they are a police officer and requesting money for bail should not provide or confirm any personal or financial information and hang up the phone, then call police.

Anyone with information on the case or who thinks they may have been victimized can contact police.