PEMBROKE — The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP warns the public that the emergency / grandparent scam has surfaced in the area again. Late last month, police received a fraud complaint after a local resident sent over $7,000 to Gambia in West Africa after receiving an emergency email from someone posing as a friend requesting financial help.
In these cases the victim typically receives a frantic phone call or an emergency email from someone claiming to be a grandchild, friend or loved one. The scammer will explain they are involved in some sort of legal trouble, have been injured or are having trouble returning from a foreign country and need money right away.
With the emergency/grandparent scam the scammer attempts to create a sense of urgency which may cause the victim to not verify the story. The scammer will often insist that the victim not tell anyone and to transfer the money that has been requested through a money transfer company. Also, many scammers want to trick you into providing your banking and personal information. In fact, the criminals will fraudulently use your personal information to steal your money.
If a scam artist contacts you or if you have been defrauded contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). You can file a report with the CAFC by calling 1-888-495-8501 (Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm EST) or by using their online reporting tool at www.antifraudcentre.ca
