REGINA – Organized crime groups across Canada are currently targeting victims as part of a “grandparent scam.”
The scam is currently happening across Saskatchewan, with the Regina Police Service (RPS), Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), and Sask. RCMP all receiving reports.
The White Butte RCMP alone received three reports related to the scam earlier this week within 24 hours.
RPS Sgt. Dave Krieger explained that scammers will impersonate a family member or loved one, stating it’s an emergency.
“[The scammer will say] ‘there's been a traffic stop where I've been arrested, or there's been an accident, and because of that I need some bail money,” said Krieger.
Krieger mentioned these scammers will either pretend to cry or whimper to conceal their voices or tell the victim, ‘It’s your favourite grandson,’ to make the call seem more legitimate.
The scammer will then pretend to hand over the phone to a police officer or lawyer.
“The victim is ultimately told that there's a gag order, they can't talk about this with anybody and a courier [is] sent to the house to pick up some money from the victims,” noted Krieger.
A majority of victims targeted in these scams have been seniors.
From a provincial-wide investigation, Krieger said the RPS has reported nearly $38,000 lost from these scams in Regina alone. Meanwhile, between the SPS and the RCMP, upwards of $70,000 is believed to have been lost.
Krieger noted these findings are only from received reports, and historically, five to 10 per cent of all incidents related to fraud are reported.
As for recovering money, approximately $20,000 has been recovered so far.
Staff Sgt. Michael Shortland of the RCMP South District noted recovering money stolen in a phone scam is "very difficult" for police.
Origin of the scam
The particular group making these scams are based in Quebec, said Krieger.
On Tuesday, the RPS arrested two people from Quebec, 50-year-old Ciprian Tedoar and 40-year-old Alexandra Condurache, with multiple fraud charges.
Both made an appearance in provincial court on Wednesday.
Krieger explained that the crime group will send people to Saskatchewan to pick up cash from victims, but the phone calls originate outside the province.
“It's almost akin to a call centre working and then sending out couriers.”
The scams themselves have been going on for years now, according to Krieger.
More victims
The RPS suspects more victims will fall for the scam.
“I think that it's going to continue to happen. Fraud is one of the biggest increasing crime trends that we've seen in policing. Not just [in] Canada, but all over,” said Krieger.
With an increase in scams, police agencies are advising people on how to avoid falling victim.
“If you find yourself talking to someone on the phone and you believe that they're trying to scam you, trust your guts," said Shortland.
Shortland also said a legit officer will never tell you not to reach out to a family member or police.
As the investigation is ongoing, anyone who believes they’ve been scammed is asked to contact the police at 306-777-6500 within Regina and 310-RCMP (7261) outside of the city.
