GTA family taken for $100,000 in ‘grandparent scam’

Article content

York Regional Police have posted a devastating new video on social media about grandparent scams.

These crimes are increasing across Canada and various vulnerable people are being fleeced by heartless criminals.

Article content

What makes victims vulnerable is not age or infirmity — but love of family. This con tricks people by engaging their emotions.

In the video, a victim named Nicky, 81, recounts how he and his wife were tricked into paying scammers $100,000 over two months.

Article content

They believed throughout that they were helping their grandson, to whom they are particularly close.

Nicky is articulate and obviously intelligent, which is important — too many people believe these scams only happen to the “doddering” or naive and think it won’t happen to them.

It’s happening to everyone.

In these so-called “grandparent scams” a person is phoned up by someone claiming to be their grandson, nephew or other relative.

They say they’re in trouble and need bail.

The phone is then handed to someone else who says he’s an officer of the court or a police officer, and that person instructs the victim to go to the bank and get cash.

The victim is told to tell nobody about this because there’s a “gag order” on the case.

Article content

They’re told the money will be picked up at their home by a courier.

Few people have enough experience with the courts to question the process. Those who do are told the pandemic has dictated changes in court procedure.

According to York Region’s Constable Amy Boudreau, these scams are increasing across Canada at an alarming rate.

The point of the new video, she said, “Is awareness. We want families to have conversations with their loved ones so they’re aware of these scams.”

These criminals, said Boudreau, are well organized and believable.

“They evoke emotion and fear, so you’re not slowing down to think.”

People need to know enough to hang up and call someone who can verify whether a family member really is in trouble.

Article content

“But they keep victims on the phone, which is part of the problem. And we’re all trusting. We don’t expect people to lie.”

Scammers can learn a lot about you based on what you post on social media, added Boudreaux.

“Be careful what personal details you post — criminals will use that to their advantage.

“We are hoping people will start to recognize the signs of this scam. You don’t have to make a quick decision. You don’t have to feel pressured.

“Your first instinct is that you need to help your family member, but we have to get people to slow things down, to ask questions.”

If a police officer calls, ask for their name, rank and badge number, she advises.

Be aware that officers, lawyers and immigration officers don’t ask for money and don’t get annoyed or aggressive if you ask questions — that’s a red flag.

Article content

Ask for a call-back number and extension; better yet, don’t answer the phone if you don’t recognize the number. Let the answering machine pick up.

Boudreau knows that many of these scams are going unreported because people are embarrassed and uncertain about what to do.

“We’re hoping the video will inspire other victims to come forward, to help prevent the next family from being targeted.

“And this helps us know the magnitude of the problem, helps the anti-fraud centre see the new trends … and helps us take down the larger groups.”

Police are working with banks and outlets with ATMs so staff will be alert to possible scam victims coming in to withdraw cash.

“We want people to know what to look out for so they can protect themselves and others.”