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This past Wednesday, October 30, saw a surge in fraud-related reports to the RCMP. We wrote of one instance last week, and more reports are coming in.
Portage and MacGregor Incidents
On that day. RCMP in Portage la Prairie received reports of two seniors being defrauded after they got phone calls from a man claiming to be a lawyer for their grandchild. The caller gave the victims their grandchild's name, told them the grandchild was in jail, and said they needed money for bail.
One resident from Portage and another from MacGregor agreed to give the money. In Portage, the suspect went directly to the senior’s home to pick up the cash. In MacGregor, the senior met the suspect on Hampton Street to hand over the money.
Minnedosa, Kleefeld, and East St. Paul
Similar scams were reported the day before, on October 29, in Minnedosa and Kleefeld, where victims also gave the suspect a large sum of money. On October 24, RCMP in East St. Paul learned about another case where a senior was driven to the bank by a suspect, withdrew cash, and handed it over, believing they were helping their grandchild.
RCMP aren't sure if these cases are connected yet. But they’re deeply concerned about how these scammers are using information, possibly from social media, to trick seniors and are even showing up at homes or driving victims to banks.
“These scams are taking advantage of seniors’ emotions and their desire to help family members,” said Cst. Larry Neufeld of the Portage la Prairie detachment. “RCMP wants to remind everyone not to hand over money to strangers and to report any suspicious calls right away.”
Tips from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on Avoiding Grandparent Scams
- If someone calls claiming to be a family member in an emergency, hang up and call that person back directly using a number you already know.
- If a caller says they’re from law enforcement, hang up and call your local police directly using a verified number.
- Be wary of calls demanding immediate action or money for a relative in trouble.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t sound right, it probably isn’t.
- Remember, the Canadian Criminal Justice System doesn’t allow bail with cash or cryptocurrency.
- Be cautious about what you share online. Scammers often get details from social media or dating sites.
- Don’t rely on caller ID, as scammers can “spoof” numbers to make them look familiar.
If you have any information, please contact your local RCMP detachment. Anonymous tips can also be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.
Victims of cybercrime or fraud can also reach the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.