Sherbrooke police have arrested three teenagers in connection with a fraud targeting an 84-year-old woman, authorities announced Thursday. The suspects allegedly convinced the woman to hand over her credit and bank cards, and to purchase gold bars worth more than $22,000 CAD.
The arrests took place after the woman was lured to a jewelry store by the scammers, where police were waiting, according to a statement from the Sherbrooke Police Service (SPS). The three individuals, aged 18 to 19, face potential charges of fraud and extortion.
The incident is part of a growing trend of scams targeting seniors, with the SPS receiving nearly one complaint per day since the beginning of the year. “Many people don’t dare to file a complaint,” said SPS spokesperson Martin Carrier.
In response to the increasing number of cases, the SPS recently created a specialized investigative unit, comprised of investigators, officers, and partners from relevant organizations. The unit, known as Project NIP, is focused on protecting vulnerable individuals. “It’s about being very active and very quick to make arrests, because these fraudsters are well-equipped and well-structured, often,” Carrier explained.
Authorities are warning the public to be vigilant and to never provide personal financial information to unsolicited callers or visitors. “Never, ever will police, bank employees, or anyone else come to your home to take your credit cards, PINs, or ask you to buy gold bars!” Carrier emphasized.
The Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées Sherbrooke et région has been offering fraud prevention workshops for 20 years, and demand has increased in recent years. Approximately 40 workshops have been organized, reaching 450 people. “The message remains the same: be vigilant. Hang up. Talk to trusted family and friends if you suspect something,” said Isabelle Guérard, director of the association.
Guérard noted that the techniques used by scammers are constantly evolving, particularly with the advent of artificial intelligence and other technologies. “It’s easy to fall victim,” she said.
The Sherbrooke arrests follow a similar case in October 2025, where a 17-year-old from Montreal was arrested for defrauding an 89-year-old Sherbrooke woman out of several thousand dollars in a sophisticated scam. In that instance, a bank employee alerted police after observing the elderly woman attempting to withdraw a large sum of money.
The FBI issued a national alert in May 2025 warning of a surge in gold bar scams targeting elderly and unsuspecting victims, with reported losses exceeding $200 million in 2024. These scams often involve perpetrators posing as law enforcement agents and instructing victims to purchase gold bars to “protect” their assets during a fabricated investigation.
