REGINA – The Regina Police Service are issuing a fraud warning to alert the public to be careful of emergency scams
In the past 48 hours, the Regina Police Service (RPS) has seen seven reported cases of emergency scams where fraudsters target grandparents and play upon their emotions to compel them to release thousands of dollars.
Common occurrences in these scams can include but are not limited to:
The grandparent receives a frantic phone call.
The “grandchild” provides an emotional play indicating they have gotten in trouble and need help.
The “grandchild” pleads to the grandparents not to tell his or her parents.
The “grandchild” asks that they provide thousands of dollars to post bond for bail money, repair the car, cover lawyer’s fees, or pay hospital bills for someone allegedly hurt by the “grandchild” in an accident.
Fraudsters urge the victim to not tell the bank about what the money is needed for.
In some cases, fraudsters posed as police officers, lawyers, or other legal system officials and the victims provided their home address to pick up bond money.
RPS would also like to remind citizens that police will never pick up bond money.
If you believe you are a victim or suspect someone is trying to defraud you, contact police immediately at 306-777-6500.
Call 911 if it is an emergency.
