TPS Community Alert: Potential Sex Offender

33 Division Investigative Office would like to warn all residents, especially seniors, of continuing telephone scams that have been occurring throughout the GTA.The suspects are telephoning senior citizens claiming to be either a grandchild or niece/ nephew using their correct names and asking for financial assistance. The caller usually claims to have had car trouble or be in a financial crisis. Some callers have indicated they are in police custody and require money to be bailed out. In a majority of these occurrences the victims have been asked to send money through "Western Union", record the receipt number and provide to the suspect when they call back. Fortunately, many of the recipients of the phone calls were able to verify that the information was false and they were not financially victimized.

Everyone is reminded to prevent being defrauded, follow the simple rules listed below:Do not hand over money, information on personal finances or credit card numbers, PIN numbers, etc. to strangers. Ask for call back numbers in order to confirm the legitimacy of any calls you may receive. If you have doubts, hang up the telephone. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!·

Protect Yourself from Fraud Don't Send MoneyTo someone who you don't know To claim lottery or prize winnings Based on a promise to receive a large amount of money Because you were "guaranteed" a credit card or loan In response to an Internet or phone offer that you aren't sure is honest For more information on Fraud Prevention, please visit http://www.phonebusters.com/

TPS Community Alert: Potential Sex Offender

33 Division Toronto Police want to alert the community of a Potential sex offender.

A 14 year old victim called in a suspicious incident in which an unknown male approached him while at a public library. The male began soliciting the youth to become a model and the conversation became increasingly innapropriate and sexual in nature. The male asked the youth to go outside where they continued the conversation in private.

The suspect identified himself as "Mathew" and continued his innapropriate sexual questions, when the youth became extremely uncomfortable and left the scene.

The male is described as white, 24yrs 5'7 o 5'8 200-210 lbs, brown hair, straight, short.&n bsp; Wearing dark green cotton shirt, black shorts, black leather shoes.

Anyone with information regarding this case or any other suspicious incidents that are similar, please contact Crimestoppers at 416-222-Tips (416-222-8477).