'Pretty old and stupid': Tecumseh grandparent scam victim and Crime Stoppers warn others
A Tecumseh man and Windsor-Essex Crime Stoppers are warning other residents about a “grandparent scam” targeting elderly members in the community.
Crime Stoppers reports 12 victims have been identified in Windsor-Essex from June 17- June 28, with residents losing about $60,000.
Tecumseh victim Gordon said he lost about $9,300 and he was upset when he discovered it was a scam.
“When I found out… pretty old and stupid,” he said. “Oh man, so many things just to ask, drivers license, who are you, your last name. I was just so wrapped up that it was my grandson.”
Gordon said it started with a random phone call to his house line.
“I received a phone call and I answered it and it sounded like my grandson and he was panicky,” he says.
The story was that he was in a car accident and hit a pregnant woman.
He said following the panicked grandson imitator, a man identified himself as a lawyer currently representing their grandson, who was just arrested for impaired driving. This lawyer provided case file and confirmation number to make the call sound more legitimate.
Gordon was told that his grandson was going to be held in front of a judge if he could not make bail and he would require $9300 in cash today and his grandson would be released and driven home.
Someone came to the house to pick up the cash. Soon after, they discovered that their grandson was not in trouble.Grandparent scam suspect in Essex County (Source: Crime Stoppers)
“Meanwhile my wife gets on the phone, calls my daughter-in-law, here my grandson is at home sleeping in bed, so within five minutes we knew it was a scam,” he said.
Gordon is speaking out with hopes that other seniors don’t fall for the same scheme.
“Be aware that they can definitely imitate family members somehow,” he said. “Don’t pass out cash money to anyone unless you really consult.”
As for the cash, he thinks it’s likely gone for good.
“I have no thoughts of ever getting the money back.. or I have thoughts, but I doubt very much that I ever will,” he said.
He reported the incident to Essex County OPP.
OPP Crime Stoppers coordinator Sarah Werstein says have two photos of suspects they are trying to identify.Grandparent scam suspect in Essex County (Source: Crime Stoppers)
She says anyone who gets a similar phone call should slow down the situation and verify the information. Contact an immediate family member and inquire if anyone needs assistance. Do not forward any funds without speaking to family members first and report it to the police.
Werstein also advises residents to speak to their elderly family members to be on the lookout for suspicious phone calls.Anyone with information regarding can contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.The Crime Stoppers Report with OPP coordinator Sarah Werstein (right) and CTV's Melanie Borrelli.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What's a Barnacle? It's yellow, sticks and screams if you try to pry it off your car
Barnacles, bright yellow devices used to make sure parking scofflaws pay their tickets, could soon be making their way to cities across Canada.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.