Police in Durham Region say four people are facing numerous charges for allegedly targeting grandparents with a scam.

Durham Regional Police said the four arrests, made in November, came after losses of more than $37,000 for grandparents across the Greater Toronto Area.

The scam started with a phone call claiming a grandchild was involved in police investigation, often an accident, it is alleged.

The grandparent would be told their grandchild would be held in jail unless money was paid to release them, police said.

A courier would then reportedly be sent to pick up the money. Police said the value ranged from $8,000 to $11,000.