Grandparent Fraud Alert!

By Richard Hannibal, Retired Police Sergeant

Yesterday, I received a telephone call from my aunt. She began the conversation by saying, “I feel so stupid.” She went on to tell me that her grandson called and said he had been arrested for drunk driving after being involved in a traffic collision. She became concerned and told him she would help in any way she could. Then, the defense attorney got on the phone and said that since her grandson is a first-time offender, the normal $2,000 fine will be reduced to $1600.00. My aunt loves her grandson and immediately sent the money via Western Union as directed. After the money was sent, my aunt learned her grandson was safe at home and had not been arrested.

These ongoing, sinister plots rip-off the most vulnerable members of our society, usually the elderly. It is nationwide and growing. Morro Bay has had its own victims. I am aware of at least one Morro Bay citizen who was victimized. It cost this loving grandmother $2,900.00 when she fell for the scheme. Here’s how it went . . . TELEPHONE RINGS!

Grandma:  Hello!

Bill:  “Hi grandma, this is Bill, I’m in jail. Some buddies and I went fishing in Mexico. I was drunk and got in a traffic accident. I need $2900 to get bailed out. Please send it to me, I’m miserable here. Oh, by the way, don’t tell dad or any of the family. I don’t want them to find out, because they will worry and I’m embarrassed.

Grandma: “Bill, are you alright? You sound different. Of course, I will send you the money. Where do I send it?”

Bill:  “Don’t worry about me grandma. I cut my lip in the accident and I’m having trouble talking. My lawyer will call you in a little while and tell you where to send the money. Thanks for helping me, I promise I’ll pay you back.”

Several minutes go by and the telephone rings again.

Mr. Simon:  “Hello, this is Mr. Jeremy Simon, I am Bill’s court appointed attorney. I can get Bill released and all charges dropped if you send $2900 in fines and court costs. Just send a Money Gram to Tijuana, Mexico, in the name of Jeremy Simon. If you have any questions you can call me at (gives a telephone number with a Mexico prefix).”

Grandma isn’t dumb and she calls the telephone number supplied by Mr. Simon. Mr. Simon answers and confirms the telephone number and reaffirms he is Bill’s court appointed attorney.

Grandma, with love in her heart, and concern for Bill, rushes to her bank and takes out $2900 in cash. She then goes to a local super market and obtains a Money Gram and sends it as directed.

Grandma waits a whole day for confirmation that the money was received and Bill has been released.

The next day, grandma learns that Bill is home and has never been to Mexico. Grandma calls Mr. Simon’s telephone number and it has been disconnected. Grandma rushes to her bank to see if they will cover her loss and they won’t. Grandma calls the police and learns that she has been a victim of a widespread scam. The police take a report, but admit there is not much they can do.

Local police are usually helpless in these cases, because the criminals operate outside the United States, and the fraud is so widespread. It’s easy for the crooks to get enough personal information off the Internet to commit this fraud. If you don’t believe me, simply do a ‘Google’ search of your name.

What would have happened if grandma questioned this telephone call and checked on Bill? The caller would have simply hung up and turned their attention to the other 350 million potential victims in our nation.

The criminals use ‘throw-away’ telephones that can’t be traced. I was shocked to find out that Money Grams, Western Union, and similar money transfers, sent to a particular area and name, can be obtained anywhere by someone using fake identification. In other words, money sent via Western Union to a Jeremy Simon in Mexico, can be received by a Jeremy Simon (using fake identification) at a Western Union in New York City. Thus, the evidence in the crime disappears like mist in a breeze.

The outrage of this type of fraud is that it preys on ‘love’ rather than ‘greed’. And, it preys on the elderly, that part of our society that can ill-afford the loss. Therefore, it is time to have a talk with grandma, grandpa, or any other family member who may be a potential victim. If they receive a suspicious call, tell the caller you will call them back after you verify their story. If it is a scam, don’t bother to call back; the phone number will not exist.