Police say ‘grandparent scam’ back in Saskatoon

The so-called “grandparent scam” has returned to Saskatoon.

On Tuesday, the Saskatoon Police Service’s Economic Crime Section issued an alert saying “a series of fraudulent activities” had occurred in the city in recent days.

The activities have followed the typical “grandparent scam,” in which fraudsters call the victims and claim to be a grandchild facing an emergency as a result of a traffic collision or drug possession. The fraudsters then demand cash or cryptocurrency for bail and legal fees.

“In some reports of victimization, fraudsters attended to the victim’s residence and defrauded them of several thousand dollars,” the police said in a release. “In others, victims were directed to deposit large sums of money into a Bitcoin ATM for receipt by the fraudsters.”

Police said the people conducting the scam are telling their victims to lie to their financial institution to withdraw funds.

“They may also falsely state that a non-dissemination order (gag order) is in place preventing discussing the matter with anyone else,” the release added.

READ MORE:

• No victims in Saskatoon after latest ‘grandparent scam’ ploy: Police
• Moose Jaw police warning about ‘grandchild scam’
• Melfort RCMP asks for help identifying suspect in grandparent scam

Police reminded people who get a suspicious call to phone family members, friends or the police to check the facts of the call.

Anyone who has received a suspicious call and suspects fraud but has not been victimized should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Anyone who has been defrauded should call their local police or report it to the Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300.