B.C. senior scammed by 2 fraudsters posing as grandson and police officer, hands over thousands of dollars for 'bail money'
A senior in New Westminster has lost thousands of dollars after falling victim to a scam, prompting a warning from police.
The woman was tricked by two people during one phone call Tuesday evening: a person pretending to be her grandson seeking bail money, and someone claiming to be a police officer.
In a statement Wednesday, New Westminster police explained that the victim was assured by the fraudsters that if she put a large sum of cash in an envelope, someone would meet up with her to collect it and her grandson would be released from jail. The scammers falsely claimed he had been arrested for having a large amount of cannabis in his vehicle.
“It is despicable that criminals are using family bonds to manipulate seniors out of thousands of dollars,” Sgt. Justine Thom wrote in the release.
Police say the fraudsters used techniques to encourage the victim to share information they later used against her.
For example, by exclaiming "hey grandma" when the victim answered the phone, the fraudsters set the woman up to say her grandson’s name. When she raised concerns with their request, the fraudsters assured her it was not a scam because her grandson was the one who called her.
“We’re asking people to speak to friends and family about this incident, and to share with them the techniques the fraudsters used,” wrote Thom.
Police are gathering evidence to help them identify the suspect who collected the victim’s money. She is described as a woman in her early 20s with light purple, wavy, shoulder-length hair. Police say the suspect stands 5'4" tall and was wearing a faded charcoal sweatshirt, patterned leggings and pink Crocs at the time of the crime.
Anyone with information can reach out to the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411 and reference file 22-18829.
Police agencies across Metro Vancouver issued warnings about bail money scams in January, a month when multiple frauds were being reported daily.
Officials are reminding the public that Canadian police and courts never call family members to ask for bail money. Police say anyone who receives a call like this should hang up and report it to local authorities, as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby and grandparents killed in wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401
An infant and the child's grandparents – aged 55 and 60 – were all killed when a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. caused a crash involving at least six vehicles, the Special Investigations Unit says. The driver of the suspect vehicle also died.
Freeland tables motion previewing omnibus budget bill
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass the sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
T. rex is at the centre of a debate over dinosaur intelligence
Surmising even the physical appearance of a dinosaur - or any extinct animal - based on its fossils is a tricky proposition, with so many uncertainties involved. Assessing a dinosaur's intelligence, considering the innumerable factors contributing to that trait, is exponentially more difficult.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
This is how many dentists have actually signed up for Canada's new free dental program
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.