Richmond RCMP warns residents as sophisticated grandparent scams resurface

Richmond RCMP is urging residents to be cautious after a recent rise in reports of so-called grandparent scams, a type of fraud that often targets seniors but can impact anyone who receives an unexpected call claiming a loved one is in trouble. Investigators say the scams share a common pattern in which suspects create panic and pressure victims into paying large sums of money.

Police say one of the latest cases involved a caller pretending to be an official with a foreign embassy. The scammer told the victim that their grandson had been detained and that urgent bail money was required. The victim was instructed to hand cash to a taxi or courier driver sent to their home, ultimately losing more than 37,000 dollars before realizing the situation was fraudulent.

Authorities note that the tactic is part of a broader trend observed across Canada, where high-pressure demands and emotional manipulation are increasingly being used to exploit family relationships. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has also tracked similar incidents and continues to warn the public about the use of couriers to collect money directly from victims.

Richmond RCMP encourages residents to take steps to protect themselves, including contacting family members directly to verify any claims, refusing to share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, and never sending cash through couriers or the mail. Anyone who believes they have been targeted is asked to report the incident to police.