The so-called “Granny” scam has resurfaced in recent months, with seniors being bilked out of anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000.
As many as 15 victims in the Ottawa area have filed complaints with the police force, says Sgt. Richard Dugal of the Organized Fraud Section.
“Some call after the fact, after they lost money – they actually wired $3,000, $4,000, or $5,000, sometimes even $15,000,” said Dugal. “Others are wise to it because they have been made aware.”
Police believe more cases go unreported “possibly due to embarrassment,” according to a recent police press release.
The scam
The telephone scam generally involves a caller posing as an elderly person’s out-of-town grandchild, who supposedly ran afoul of law enforcement.
The caller pleads with the would-be victim, appealing to his/her emotions while requesting bail money. There are variations on this scam which depict someone involved in an accident or other dire circumstances. The victim is then given a false phone number, with someone pretending to be a lawyer or police sergeant at the other end of the line, and asked to wire several thousands of dollars.
Once the first payment is received, they generally follow up with more requests.
“That’s how the scheme works; they will try to suck out as much (money) as they can,” said Sgt. Dugal.
"While there are variations on the scam, the script is almost always the same, if you get this type of call or hear that a friend did, please report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or your local police service.”
Scam signs:
-Caller always asks not to speak to other family members about it because they will make matters worse
-Caller always asks for money to be sent by money wire service
What to do:
- Never send money through money wire services to persons you do not know personally. The money can be picked up anywhere in the world once it is given a transaction number
- Contact the family members directly to verify that the "grandchild" is in the apparent jurisdiction
- Write down the caller's number and provide it to your police agency when reporting the incident.
Scammers know no boundaries
Sgt. Mario Bergeron of the Ottawa police says this scam has been ongoing for months, with victims targeted across North America.
”We are getting calls from all over North America inquiring about the status of the victim’s relative, thinking that this person is in custody,” said Bergeron, who also works with Crime Stoppers, the tips line paying cash rewards for confidential and anonymous tips that help police solve crimes.
“A year ago, we had the same scam and then it went away. It just started again.”
Bergeron is urging anyone with information to come forward.
“Not everyone is comfortable calling the police directly: Some feel humiliated for having been defrauded while other people are scared and intimidated. So, we are giving these people the option to report the crime with the guarantee of remaining anonymous.”
Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers chairman Keith de Bellefeuille says tipsters’ anonymity is guaranteed.
”When they call in to Crime Stoppers’ tips line, there’s no caller I.D., we don’t ask for their names, and when they give a tip, they are given a number and asked to call back in a couple of weeks,” he said. “The caller calls back in a couple of weeks and, if the crime has been solved or charges have been laid, then he is given a location to go to and get his cash reward.” Crime Stoppers serves Canada’s National Capital area, including communities in both eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
Anyone with information on this fraud, or any other fraud, is asked to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at: www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca, the Ottawa Police Call Centre at (613) 236-1222, ext. 7300, or Crime Stoppers at (613) 233-8477 (TIPS) or toll free at 1-800-222-8477.
