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Mesa Police Department Cons, Frauds & Scams
"Grandma" or "Grandson" Scam
October 2009 - We have had reports of the
grandson scam. Older adults are receiving calls from
people pretending to be their grandson. The fake
grandson pleads for help because they've been in an
accident or is in jail and needs money. They ask the
older adult to wire money by Western Union to help
them. Sometimes the caller knows the name of the
grandson and sometimes they trick the older adult
into giving them the name. If you receive a call
from someone who says they are your grandson or
nephew -- call your grandson or nephew and check the
story before you wire money.
The "Grandma Scam" has resurfaced on the west
coast. The con artists goes through the telephone
book looking for first names that might indicate
that the person is a senior; names like Ruth,
Stella, or Mabel. They call the senior and say,
"Grandma, is that you? Can you hear me? I'm in jail
and need help." They continue to talk until the
senior says, for example, "Jimmy, is that you?" Now
the caller has the grandson's name and says, "Yes,
Grandma, it's me, Jimmy." The caller then says they
are in jail for a minor offense and they need money
to get out. Then the caller asks the senior to wire
money through Western Union. Many seniors have been
victims of this scam.
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