Smiths Falls, Ont. couple loses $8,000 in 'grandparent scam'
Police in Smiths Falls are issuing a warning about a scam targeting the elderly population.
Dubbed the "grandparent scam", police say it is on the rise in the region and it preys on the emotions of the victims, often involving grandchildren.
"It's unfortunate in these kinds of scams, grandparents will do anything for their grandkids most of the time," says Smiths Falls Police Service detective Tyler Brett.
"A lot of the times elderly people are a lot more trusting than the younger generation and then that trust is what these suspects prey on."
Recently a couple in their 60s in Smiths Falls were taken for $8,000.
The victims, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of being victimized again, said they received a call Thursday from someone impersonating their grandson. They claimed he was in a car accident and had been arrested for distracted driving.
"In this case, they said that they injured their nose so that's why their speech was off," Brett told CTV News.
"They honestly believed they were on the other end of the phone, but they weren't."
The phone was then passed to another person, claiming to be a lawyer. The victims were told they needed $8,000 for their grandson's bail.
They went to the bank and took out a loan. Later that day the scammer arrived at the home and took the money.
"Now, of course, a police service or courthouse would never actually do this," says Brett.
The victims said the scammers were well rehearsed and did not hesitate when faced with questions. Police say these types of fraudsters do extensive research through social media.
The suspect has not been identified at this time and the victim's money has not been recovered. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
"If you're not sure, if someone is calling you and you're not sure just call the police service," says Brett.
"Call us and ask us."
(Screenshot of doorbell footage supplied by Smiths Falls Police Service, of the suspect being sought in the recent grandparent scam)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.