Grandparent Fraud Continues
GREENWICH POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release
1l Bruce Place
Greenwich, CT 06830
Phone (203) 622-8000
Fax (203) 622-3640
Contact: LT. Kraig Gray
Phone: (203) 622-3620 For Immediate Release
August 6, 2013
Grandparent Fraud
On 08/06/2013 a Greenwich resident and a grandmother, was contacted by a man claiming to be her 16 year old grandson. This male who alleged to be her grandson told her a story of how he had been out of state and that after a motor vehicle accident he had been arrested. That he now needed bail money.
The victim immediately became suspicious because her alleged grandson used a generic term for “grandmother” and not the one commonly used by her family. This very astute woman realized it was a scam and terminated the call. The grandmother then made direct contact with her grandson and found he was safe with his mother and fine. No money was ever sent.
This Department and many other Departments across the country often receive complaints very similar to this scam. Each scam includes some sort of the following:
• a loved one is in danger or in a hospital or under arrest
• the incident occurred overseas or where the subject attends school or where they had been on vacation
• the money needs to be wired immediately so assistance can be given
• and the call back numbers given to the victim originate out of country.
If you receive a call similar to the incident mentioned above or receives a letter stating you have won the lottery and need to send money to collect the prize, don’t send any money. You should initiate a call to the love one directly. Be mindful that any call or letter stating you need to act NOW or if you’re directed to go to a certain location to wire the money are all red flags and you should be wary. Almost always you are being scammed and will never see the money again and there is little chance of an arrest being made.
Scams wherein the perpetrator takes advantage of the trusting nature of an elderly grandparent are not new and are very common. These thieves are praying on your compassion and trustworthiness. Please verify the facts before sending anyone a wire large sum of money.
The Greenwich Police Department asks that everyone share this information with any seniors they know before they become the victim of a similar type scam.