It’s hard to believe there are scoundrels spread across Canada trying to rip off innocent seniors, many of whom don’t have a lot of cash and are living on a fixed income.
For several years now across this great country, con artists and scammers have engaged in what has commonly become known as the ‘grandmother scam.’
Doris Walton of Osoyoos found out the hard way last week that this scam is still alive and there remains con artists and human cockroaches more than willing to try and dupe and deceive innocent seniors from their cash.
The scam tries to terrify frightened seniors into thinking one of their grandchildren is in serious trouble, with the scoundrels claiming the youngster has been in an automobile accident and thrown in jail.
The con artist on the other end of the line applies immediate pressure to send cash as quickly as possible to help get the grandchild out of custody.
In Walton’s case, she received a second phone call from a man who identified himself as a lawyer from Quebec, who said he would need $1,950 for her grandson’s release from jail.
Thankfully, Walton was very suspicious and started asking some questions. When she asked for a proper letterhead with the lawyer’s title and credentials, the man said he would call back in a few minutes. When he insisted the money be forwarded in cash instead of by credit card, Walton went as far as to try and find if there was a Western Union in the area.
During a third and final phone call, Walton started questioning what was happening and eventually asked the man on the other end of the line, who was supposed to be her grandson, what day he was born and his mom and dad’s name.
Finally, the gig was up and the man got upset and simply hung up.
“I’m just so angry,” said Walton.
She has every right to be upset as these depraved con artists came very close to stealing a substantial amount of cash from her.
Walton’s “three hours of horror” is a glowing example of how low some losers are willing to go in order to steal money from innocent strangers.
The best advice police, and Walton, can give following this sorry episode is to simply hang up the telephone whenever a stranger is asking you to give them cash.
Until they’re caught, con artists like those who tried to dupe Walton aren’t going to go away and there’s sure to be more potential victims here in Osoyoos.
Hang up the phone, tell them not to call back and they will likely move on to another town to try and find innocent victims.
When, and if, these con artists are caught by police, as they often are, they deserve no mercy in our legal system and should have the book thrown at them.
Anyone found guilty of trying to steal significant amounts of cash from elderly citizens deserves a lengthy jail sentence as well as having their names published in the local newspaper so everyone knows who they are.