A Toronto woman has been sentenced to six months in custody for her role in a grandparent scam that cost a 71-year-old Hamilton woman $6,000.
Waldina Aranky, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000, according to TorontoToday.
She had asked to serve a conditional sentence in the community, but the judge refused.
The Call Made the Victim Believe Her Grandson Was in Trouble
A Toronto woman accused of participating in a string of “emergency grandparent scams” is going to spend some time behind bars. https://t.co/RCpPocDrjw
— TorontoToday (@torontotodayca) July 15, 2026
TorontoToday reported that the victim received a phone call on the morning of Sept. 5, 2024, from someone claiming to be her grandson. The caller said he was unwell and that a friend had been driving him to a medical appointment when police stopped them and arrested them.
The call then shifted to another person who identified himself as Police Constable Kevin Miller.
According to the court ruling cited in the report, the victim was told she needed to pay $12,000 to secure her grandson’s release. After she said she could not afford that amount, the demand was reduced to $6,000.
The woman went to her bank and withdrew money. She then combined that withdrawal with savings she already had at home so she could meet the $6,000 demand.
Aranky Acted as the Courier
Aranky’s role was to collect the envelope of cash from the victim. The judge noted that she was not the person who made the phone call, but she still took part in the scheme by arriving in person and taking the money.
The court also focused on the fact that Aranky knew the victim was elderly because she met her face to face. The judge wrote that she could have walked away without taking the envelope, which would have caused the scheme to fall apart at that point.
The Scam Was Exposed Later That Day
The victim discovered the truth after speaking with her son later the same day. By then, the money had already been handed over. Toronto police later used doorbell camera images to identify the female courier.
Aranky had been arrested in 2024 after police said they were investigating emergency grandparent scam cases involving seniors.
The Judge Rejected a Community Sentence
Aranky asked to serve her sentence in the community, but Justice Michael Wendl rejected that request. He wrote that a conditional sentence would not adequately address denunciation and deterrence in a case involving fraud against an elderly victim.
The court also considered Aranky’s personal circumstances, including employment, counselling, remorse, and willingness to repay the money.
Even with those factors, the judge imposed six months in custody because of the victim’s age, the emotional harm, and Aranky’s direct role in taking the cash.
Other Charges Are Still Pending Sentencing
Aranky is due back in Toronto court on Aug. 20. TorontoToday reported that she is still awaiting sentencing on multiple other charges connected to her October 2024 arrest.
The earlier police case described Aranky as facing several fraud-related charges after investigators alleged seniors were targeted through emergency grandparent scam calls.
No Real Court Sends a Courier for Bail Cash
Toronto Police say grandparent scammers may put a fake officer or lawyer on the phone, swear the victim to secrecy, and send someone to the home to collect cash.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns that scammers may request cash and send couriers for pickup, and says people should never send cash, cryptocurrency, or other funds to unknown people, unverified addresses, or bank accounts.
Before withdrawing money for an emergency call, people should hang up and contact the family member directly through a known number, call another relative, or verify the claim with police or the court using a number found independently.
Grandparent scams should be reported to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through its online reporting system.