"Bail money" scam alert

West Shore

2024-02-23 16:22 PST

File # 2024-2773

On February 12, the West Shore RCMP received a report from an area resident that they had been defrauded after receiving phone calls from unidentified persons claiming to be a police officer and a family member of the victim. The fraudsters claimed that the family member was in a car accident, had been arrested and needed "bail money" to get out of jail. 

This is a common tactic used by fraudsters sometimes called the "grandparent" or "emergency" scam which generally works like this: 

• The victim will receive a call claiming that a family member has been arrested or is in some sort of urgent distress;
• The caller may pose as a police officer, lawyer, and sometimes even the family member themselves;
• The caller will attempt to request money urgently to get the family member out of jail; 
• The caller will pressure the victim to act quickly, and to avoid telling anyone about what is going on.

Here are some tips if you think you might be receiving one of these calls:

• If you think might be being scammed, hang up right away;
• Call the family member directly using a number you already know and confirm they are safe;
• You can also contact your local Police to confirm if the call is fraudulent;
• Be aware that in Canada someone cannot be "bailed out" of jail with cash or cryptocurrency;

Released by

Cst. Andrew Matheson

Email: westshore_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: westshore.rcmp.ca (English only)

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