Seniors being tricked by scammers pretending to be police: VPD

Police in Vancouver are renewing warnings about a scam targeting seniors that was first reported in January.

“This is a new variation of a scam VPD first told people about earlier this year,” said Sgt. Steve Addison, Vancouver Police Department (VPD). “These fraudsters are still finding success by preying on vulnerable people and convincing them a loved one is in jail.”

Just this week, VPD say they have received five reports from seniors who have either been scammed or have been contacted by the scammers.

In one of several cases, a 61-year-old woman in Kitsilano handed over $15,000 in cash to a man claiming to be a police officer in order to free her nephew.

In another case, a Kerrisdale woman in her 80s got a call in the morning from two men.

“One claimed to be the woman’s grandson. The other claimed to be a police officer. The scammers convinced the senior to pay $12,000 to bail her grandson out of jail following a marijuana arrest. She handed the cash over to someone posing as a courier who came to her house,” said a police statement.

Related links

• Port Moody senior nearly swindled by scam

• ‘Grandparent scam’ tricks West Vancouver senior out of $5,000

“We believe there are a number of scammers who are working together, and likely using social media to mine personal details about their victims,” added Addison. “The scammers often know the names of the victims’ family members, and in one recent case knew that a victim’s relative was on vacation in another country.”

Police say scammers will convince victims to not tell anyone else, saying there is a gag order in place, or to ask them to use a code word when handing over cash.

Vancouver Police ask anyone with information about this scam to come forward immediately.

If it’s a crime in progress or if there is an immediate safety concern, police say to call 911.

If the suspect has already left, they ask you to call non-emergency line at 604-717-3321.