One Nanaimo senior has lost $24,000 after falling victim to the ‘Grandson scam’.
Nanaimo RCMP say in the past two weeks two other seniors have reported similar incidents; one reported losing almost $7,000, and another lost $3,500.
However, they say there is a new twist to the fraud. Calls to the residents are coming from Peru and it’s not the grandson calling, but his “lawyer.”
The “lawyer” reports his client is in jail and has been charged with criminal negligence due to a car crash. The “lawyer” then asks the senior to pay bail fees, car replacement and lawyer fees. They provide a 10-digit code to a local wire transfer kiosk.
Mounties say in the latest fraud, the victim was directed to Canada Post offices in Shoppers Drug Mart stores, located at the Woodgrove Center, Country Club Mall, Beban Plaza and the University Mall.
It is imperative family members share this information with their parents, grandparents and elderly neighbors so they do not fall prey,” says Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP. “It is imperative to tell them it is highly unlikely their real grandson would ever ask for such large sums of money. Also, make sure they do not get pressured into sending money and make sure they share their conversations with friends and family
.
Most seniors homes and seniors outreach programs in the Nanaimo area have been alerted to the scam.
Anyone with questions can contact the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-755-3257.
Here is an explanation of the Grandson scam from Shaw TV Nanaimo:
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