B.C. grandmother loses thousands of dollars to crook in latest scam
An 87-year-old Metro Vancouver woman was so convinced that the man on the other end of the phone was an attorney, she gave him $10,000.
During the telephone call on Aug. 8, the man told the Coquitlam senior that her granddaughter had been in a car crash, and that drugs had been found in the trunk.
He said he could get her grandchild out of jail, but only if she paid him thousands of dollars right away.
“There was no car accident,” said Coquitlam RCMP Const. Deanna Law. “These calls from these scammers are made to seem urgent and authentic.”
Mounties tell CTV News the victim is a smart, savvy senior who often gets calls from crooks and doesn’t fall for them.
But this thief was so convincing, she genuinely thought her granddaughter was in trouble.
“We need the public to understand that you will never have a police officer, or a bank, or a Canada Revenue agent call you and demand money to have someone released from police custody. It would never happen,” said Cst. Law.
The 87-year-old may never see her money again, but Mounties believe they’ve made a significant break in the case.
When the money was exchanged in public, surveillance cameras likely caught an image of the suspect.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.