Police warn of schemers targeting grandparents in telephone scam
The Winnipeg Police Service is warning the public about an uptick in schemes targeting the elderly under the guise of collecting bail money for their grandchildren or other family members.
Police initially sent out a public advisory in October of 2021 warning of a dramatic increase in telephone schemes known as the Grandparent Scam.
The service issued an update Tuesday saying the scam has evolved, where fraudsters contact elderly victims by phone indicating their grandchild or other family member has been arrested, and then ask for immediate bail money for their release.
“Typically, the criminal actors will direct the victim to a financial institution to make a withdrawal and then send them to either a courier or a Bitcoin machine to send money away,” Winnipeg Police Service Sergeant Trevor Thompson told CTV Morning Live Winnipeg in an interview Wednesday.
“Now, what we're seeing on some occasions here recently is the criminal actors actually sending either a rideshare person or maybe even somebody that's complicit in the fraud to the person's residence to collect the money.”
Thompson said elderly victims have lost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 depending on the circumstance.
WPS is reminding the public they do not contact the public and demand funds be paid for the release of an arrested person.
Police are urging Winnipeggers to speak with seniors in their lives about the dangers of these frauds so they know what to watch for and how to protect themselves.
Additionally, officers say if you have been a victim of a scheme, it’s important to report it.
“People are reluctant to a call the police and tell their family members about it. There's a level of embarrassment there and shame. They don't want to disclose what has happened,” Thompson said.
“We'd encourage people to try and put that aside and know that you're not the only victim of this. These people that do this are very good at what they do, and there's no shame in falling for the scam.”
- With files from CTV's Rachel Lagacé
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.