Suspect RCMP hope to identify in latest Grandparent scam in the city. Photo courtesy Grande Prairie RCMP

By Jeff Henson

GRANDPARENT SCAM

Grande Prairie RCMP seek suspect, warn public about “Grandparent scam”

May 13, 2023 | 7:00 AM

The “Grandparent Scam” appears to be making its rounds again in the Grande Prairie region, after RCMP received two such complaints in one day.

On May 8, Mounties were informed about an elderly woman who gave a large sum of money, after being called by someone saying that they were with the RCMP, and claiming that her grandson had been arrested and needed bail money before he could see a judge.

After talking to someone whom she was led to believe was her grandson, the woman agreed to give the money to a male suspect who showed up at her house, claiming to be a court trustee.

A similar event was reported to have happened that same day. But in that case, family members of the victim arrived at their home and began asking questions of a male suspect as he was attempting to collect money.

The suspect immediately left the scene once he was questioned.

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Grande Prairie RCMP have released a surveillance photo of a suspect in one of these cases.

Anyone with information on the suspect or on these cases is asked to contact the Grande Prairie detachment or Crimestoppers.

Police want to remind residents about this type of scam, and encourage you to visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm to be better informed about current scams, their targets, and warning signs.

Mounties also remind you to collect as much information as you can if you are presented with a situation like this, and to never give money in any way to someone whose identity you can’t confirm.

You are also encouraged to talk to family and friends to confirm details of such incidents, and that police and the courts will never demand that bail money be picked up in person or mailed.