NORTH Vancouver RCMP are once more warning the public about a recurring scam that tricks seniors into thinking a loved ones has been arrested, and then convinces them to hand over thousands of dollars for legal fees.
“It’s not uncommon for scammers to target the elderly by contacting them by mail, telephone or online,” said Constable Mansoor Sahak on Friday. “What’s different and concerning is that fraudsters are now showing up at the victims’ doorsteps to collect cash. It’s brazen, and we’re concerned about peoples’ safety.”
The most recent rash of scams began on September 8, when a woman in her 80s received a call from a man who claimed to be ‘Cpl. Jefferson from the North Vancouver RCMP.’ The suspect claimed that the woman’s granddaughter was arrested by police and needed $9,000 to be released on bail.
The fraudster then came to the victim’s home and picked up the money. In this incident, the suspect is described as a white woman between the ages of 20 and 30, 5’10 tall with long brown hair, and a slim build. She was wearing gold hoop earrings and a white top, and had tattoos on her left forearm. She had an accent.
Later that same day, a woman in her 70s received a similar call telling her that her granddaughter was in jail, and needed $9,000 for bail. Fortunately, that woman attended the North Vancouver RCMP detachment to pay the bail, where she was informed by staff she was being scammed.
“We’re asking the community to help inform vulnerable friends and family members about these scams, and to help us protect them from being victimized,” said Sahak.
Police are warning anyone who receives suspicious communications, and especially in this scam, a telephone call from someone claiming to be law enforcement asking for money, not to give money to a stranger, and to call local police.
How to protect yourself:
* Know that the RCMP will never contact you by phone and arrange for court officials or lawyers to pick up money from your home
* Understand that any call you receive informing you that a family member is in legal trouble and immediately needs money from you is almost certainly a scam
* Be aware that scammers can disguise caller ID numbers, and have been known to make it appear as a government agency, police detachment, or another trusted phone number
