Elk Valley RCMP are asking seniors to be cautious after con artists targeted three individuals over the past three weeks.
“The individuals typically target the elderly,” said Sgt. Dave Dubnyk with the Elk Valley RCMP. “The last lady who reported the scam said she almost fell for it.”
In the typical scenario, a grandparent receives a phone call from a con artist claiming to be one of their grandchildren.
The caller goes on to say that they are in some kind of trouble and need money immediately. Typically they claim that they have been in a car accident, are having trouble returning from a foreign country or they need bail money.
Dubnyk said that the callers that have targeted Elk Valley seniors say they are at an airport and need money for a ticket.
Callers specifically state that they do not want other relatives to know what has happened by asking the victims, “Can you please help me? But don’t tell Dad. He would kill me if he found out. Please send the money ASAP. I’m scared.”
The Government of Canada’s Anti-Fraud Centre said that predominantly the scam is directed towards grandparents.
Elk Valley RCMP are asking anyone who believes they have been targeted by the scam to contact them at 250-425-6233.