Officers issued a notice to the public about several reports of phone scams in the past month.
In one scam, the callers claim to be a police officer or government official, demanding money from the victim to avoid being arrested or to avoid having a relative arrested, said police.
“The (Winnipeg Police Service) advises that these calls are not legitimate and would like your assistance in identifying the persons making these phone calls,” said the WPS in a release.
Police have also received a rise in the number of emergency or grandparent scam cases.
“To date, investigators are aware of 35 victims, with estimated losses between $2,500- $7,000 per incident, and total losses for all victims at just over $118,000,” said police.
A total of 25 victims have been reported so far in 2014, with another 10 reported last fall.
The scam involves suspects calling an elderly victim, pretending to be a grandchild or family member in jail, in the hospital or with some other emergency and needing to have money wired to them.
“If you receive such a call, always check with another relative before wiring money,” said police.
People receiving these type of calls can also activate the call trace feature at the end of by the call on landlines by pressing *57 and then contacting police at 204-986-6222.
The commercial crime unit urges care providers and children and grandchildren to discuss the scam with elderly relatives or individuals to help protect them.
More information on scams is available online at:
http://www.phonebusters.com/english/recognizeit_emergency.html
