Grandparents are the primary target for this type of fraud.

Information the fraudster needs to support their false identity is provided by the Grandparents themselves, or through the internet, e.g. family blogs, social media and genealogy websites.

Automatically be suspicious of anyone asking for money; be extra suspicious if the money is requested through a wire (which are difficult to track and almost impossible to recover), and verify identities with other family members.

Video description: Picture of a elderly person talking on the phone. As well, there an interview with Sgt. Kreiter with presentation slides that show what to do if a fraudulent phone call is received.

Fraudulent Call for Help from Family Members
  • Transcription Woman: Hi Grandpa.

    Grandpa: Ann, is that you?

    Woman: Yes Grandpa it's me, Ann.

    Please don't tell Dad, but I'm in jail in Toronto for a drinking driving charge and need $3,000.00 for bail.

    Grandpa: Well what should I do?

    Woman: Please send the money by Western Union or MoneyGram as soon as you can.

    Thanks.

    [Sgt. Tim Kreiter, Media Relations Officer Commercial Crime.]

    Well the grandma and grandpa scam has a number of variations like any other scam.

    The most common one that's going on right now is where a person, usually an elderly person receives a phone call from somebody claiming to be a grandchild and claiming to be in some kind of distress.

    Either they've been arrested, they've been robbed, they've been in an accident and they need money right now.

    And they need it sent urgently via Western Union.

    The problem with this is that the caller really isn't the relative that they claim to be.

    The money that is sent is goes to support the criminal lifestyle.

    Often, the information the scammer needs is provided either through a internet website, a family geneology site, a facebook page or simply by the victim themswelves.As soon as you get a phone call from anybody asking for money ask some probing questions.

    Try to get a contact number where this person can be reached.

    Try and get a location where they are at.

    Don't just automatically start sending money.

    If this is really a relative , phone their parents.

    No matter if they say "well you can't tell mom and dad".

    Call and ask the parents.

    This is how most of these are determined to be false is that the parents say that well "Bobby" or "Suzy" are here at home or they're out of the country.

    They couldn't possibly be in jail or have had an accident because they are not even around or are standing right here beside me.

    So the person on the other end of the call is obviously a scammer.

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    Fraudulent Call for Help from Family Members

Avoid being a Victim:

  • Ask for the name rather than offer it,
  • Ask for help from a member of your family or a trustworthy friend,
  • Verify identities or whereabout of the caller with other family members,
  • Don’t feel pressured to send money immediately,
  • Don’t disclose personal financial information, and
  • CALL THE POLICE

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Brush up on some common types of fraud to protect your money.

Learn more about the RCMP Commercial Crime Section who help detect and deter criminal activity within the business and securities community at the local/international level.