A con job known as the grandson scam has claimed a victim in the Yellow Point area who was bilked out of $7,500 last week.
The telephone-based scam, which has been around for years, targets elderly people.
A con man calls his mark claiming to be the victim’s grandson.
The caller usually phones from out of province and says he has been in a car accident, is in jail and needs several thousand dollars to pay for damages and bail.
The caller says his lawyer will call back with details about why the money is needed and where to send it.
When the “law firm” calls, the victim is given an account number through Western Union and asks for the money to be delivered that day.
The victim was unable to reach other family members to confirm the actual whereabouts of his grandson and decided to send money out of his concern for his real grandson’s well-being.
By the time the con played out, he had wired $7,500.
“This is not a new scam,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
“This has been going on for many years, unfortunately they’ve tightened up their act and drawn in secondary characters to make it more believable.
“When people are calling you for money now you have to step back, educate yourself, ask questions. If you’re not getting the answers to your questions then there’s a reason why.”
Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-8477 or online at www.crimestoppers.com.