B.C. senior scammed by 2 fraudsters posing as grandson and police officer, hands over thousands of dollars for 'bail money'
Canadian cash is shown: (iStock)
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
Wildfire battles continue under heat, air quality alerts over most of Canada
The battle against hundreds of wildfires continues, as almost every jurisdiction in Canada remains under either heat or air quality warnings from the federal government. The day after what was supposed to be national Clean Air Day, dozens of alerts remain in place for unseasonable heat or smoky air quality.
Are more interest rate hikes on the way? Here's what experts say
In the wake of the Bank of Canada’s unexpected rate hike, economists are pointing to further tightening in the near term.
4 very young children critically wounded in knife attack in French Alpine town
As bystanders screamed for help, a man with a knife stabbed four young children at a lakeside park in the French Alps on Thursday, assaulting at least one in a stroller repeatedly. The children between 22 months and 3 years old suffered life-threatening injuries, and two adults also were wounded, authorities said.
Liberals unveil plan to make hybrid House of Commons sittings permanent
Government House Leader Mark Holland has unveiled the federal Liberals' plans to make hybrid sittings a permanent feature in the House of Commons.
Supreme Court of Canada won't hear unvaccinated woman's case for organ donation
The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear the appeal of an Alberta woman who was unwilling to be vaccinated in order to get a life-saving organ transplant.
'Canada dry': Climatologist Dave Phillips foresees hot, dry summer countrywide
The hot, dry conditions that are fuelling wildfires countrywide are just the beginning of what summer could look like in Canada this year, according to Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips.
Settlements end $100M class action lawsuit by alleged Manitoulin Island abuse survivors
A $100 million class action lawsuit launched on behalf of alleged victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy on Manitoulin Island has been abandoned after the victims reached individual settlements with the church.
WATCH
WATCH | Strawberry Moon creates stunning rainbows over Yosemite waterfalls
Photographer Shreenivasan Manievannan captured lunar rainbows forming over Yosemite National Park waterfalls during the June 2-3 Strawberry Moon.
Government policy tells CRTC to exclude social media users from online streaming bill
The federal government is telling Canada's broadcasting regulator to exclude individual social media creators in the regulations to implement the government's new online streaming law.
Vancouver Island
-
New Vancouver-Nanaimo ferry service announces pricing, launch timing
The new passenger-only ferry service between Vancouver and Nanaimo, Hullo, has announced that it will begin operations this summer.
-
Showers likely for southern B.C., as wildfires cut air quality, challenge control
For the first time this year, air quality advisories are posted for part of Vancouver Island and a large section of the Lower Mainland as smoke from several wildfires wafts over the region.
-
Video shows Audi driving into oncoming traffic on Vancouver Island highway
Startling video shows the moment when a red Audi nearly collides with vehicles on the Patricia Bay highway near Sidney, B.C., while travelling on the wrong side of the road.
Calgary
-
CJAY92 donates $20K to Calgary family whose van was stolen, hurting 5-year-old's T-shirt business
After a string of devastating setbacks, a Calgary family has just had a significant change of luck.
-
Supreme Court of Canada won't hear unvaccinated woman's case for organ donation
The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear the appeal of an Alberta woman who was unwilling to be vaccinated in order to get a life-saving organ transplant.
-
Missing Calgary teen last seen in Woodbine
Calgary police are looking to the public for help locating a missing teenage girl last seen in Woodbine last month.
Edmonton
-
Supreme Court of Canada won't hear unvaccinated woman's case for organ donation
The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear the appeal of an Alberta woman who was unwilling to be vaccinated in order to get a life-saving organ transplant.
-
1 hospitalized in 156 Street, 118 Avenue crash
One person was hospitalized after a crash in northwest Edmonton on Wednesday.
-
Liberals unveil plan to make hybrid House of Commons sittings permanent
Government House Leader Mark Holland has unveiled the federal Liberals' plans to make hybrid sittings a permanent feature in the House of Commons.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | 1 dead, multiple injured in 8-vehicle crash in Mississauga, Ont.
One person is dead, and at least eight others have been injured, after an multi-vehicle collision in Mississauga, Ont. Thursday morning.
-
LIVE
LIVE | Smoke in Toronto to get worse Thursday with air quality set to plummet
Toronto's air quality will get worse before it gets better as smoke from Canada's wildfires lingers in the city.
-
European family turfed from long-term Airbnb in Toronto to test renters’ rights
A European family who says they were evicted from their long-term Airbnb rental in Toronto last week has sparked a precedent-setting fight.
Montreal
-
WATCH LIVE @ 1:30 P.M.
WATCH LIVE @ 1:30 P.M. | Quebec wildfires: fierce fight in Normetal as flames within 500 metres of municipality
Quebec's wildfire fight is focused today in the province's northern region where flames have reached the doorstep of a municipality of roughly 800 people.
-
Former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre opens up about life after stroke, depression
Former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre, who spent his life in politics, collapsed and suffered a stroke on April 11, and even as he's slowly recovering, the fighter's instinct, that he's known for, is very much alive.
-
Ontario man charged with first-degree murder in killing of Claudia Iacono outside Montreal salon
An Ontario man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Claudia Iacono, the daughter-in-law of Mafia associate Moreno Gallo, after she was gunned down at the wheel of her car in Montreal last month.
Winnipeg
-
Man charged in connection to crash that sent two officers to hospital
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a crash that left two Winnipeg police officers with serious injuries.
-
Premier remains mum on funding to search landfill for remains of two women
Manitoba's premier says a potential search of a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two First Nations women should be led by the federal government and families.
-
Manitoba trustee suspended over posts targeting LGBTQ2S+ community, division says
A Manitoba school trustee has been suspended over social media posts the division says targeted the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon property taxes could see 13 per cent hike as city confronts $75M revenue gap
Significant property tax hikes may be needed to cover a funding shortfall, according to City of Saskatoon administration.
-
Saskatoon builder looking to flip abandoned homes to first time buyers
A Saskatoon man wants to play matchmaker for the unloved homes in the city.
-
Can face masks help protect you from wildfire smoke? Health expert explains
An official recommendation to wear a mask to protect yourself from wildfire smoke is being echoed by health experts as plumes of smoke make their way across parts of Canada, causing poor air quality.
Regina
-
Regina mayor says homeless camp was reaching 'critical point' before teardown
Regina's mayor says the city's fire department had growing concerns about the health, safety and well-being of those living in a homeless camp that was dismantled on Wednesday morning.
-
'Bury the hatchet': No reprimand for Regina city councillor who violated confidentiality bylaw
Regina city councillors decided on Wednesday to not impose sanctions or corrective measures on Ward 3 Coun. Andrew Stevens for a violation of the city’s confidentiality bylaw.
-
Here's what Regina's mayor says could be done to fix the underpass flooding issue
Flooded underpasses have been a common occurrence in Regina this spring with several thunderstorms dumping heavy rain on the city, but Mayor Sandra Masters says several solutions are in the works to help prevent further flooding.
Atlantic
-
Trans, non-binary students under 16 in N.B. need parental consent for pronoun changes
New Brunswick students under the age of 16 who identify as trans and non-binary won't be able to officially change their names or pronouns in school without parental consent.
-
Halifax to announce Thursday when more residents can return home after wildfires
The Halifax Regional Municipality says it will announce Thursday when more residents can return to their homes in communities impacted by the Tantallon wildfires.
-
N.B. shellfish company shuttered over improper storage of shell waste: environment minister
A company at the centre of a community fight over what residents in the town of Beaurivage, N.B. say is a powerful stench has been ordered to cease operations.
London
-
Power out in parts of Exeter
Police, fire and Hydro One are currently on scene attempting to restore power — there is no estimated time for restoration.
-
Man assaulted with baseball bat and knife
According to police, the victim was hit with a baseball bat and then a woman cut the victim with a knife.
-
Truck fire southwest of London, driver nowhere to be found
A pickup truck went up in flames around 9 p.m. on Deadmans Road near Westdel Bourne. The truck had gone off the road coming to rest near a tree.
Northern Ontario
-
Wildfire evacuation order west of Sudbury, Ont., expands, highway closed
A wildfire west of Sudbury, Ont., has quadrupled in size prompting evacuation orders to be expanded and one highway to close.
-
Here's what you need to do before you leave your house in a forest fire-prompted evacuation
Thousands of Canadians have had to leave their homes in several provinces over the last few weeks due to forest fires. Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect your property, both prior to an evacuation and during.
-
Another northern Ont. resident charged for illegal backyard fire, 5th in one week
A fifth person in northern Ontario has been charged in less than a week for having a campfire during the fire ban.
Kitchener
-
Cyclist taken to hospital after crash in Kitchener
A cyclist has been taken to an out-of-region hospital with what police call “potentially serious injuries” after a crash involving a vehicle in Kitchener.
-
SUV smashes into Kitchener LCBO
Police say no one was seriously hurt when an SUV crashed into the front door of an LCBO in south Kitchener Thursday.
-
Kitchener air quality to plummet into 'high risk' zone Thursday afternoon
Waterloo region and Wellington County remain under a special air quality statement for the fourth straight day Thursday with pollution levels expected to climb back into Environment Canada’s “high risk” zone this afternoon.