Hope RCMP warn residents about ‘several’ recent grandparent scams in community

HOPE — Mounties are urging the public to stay alert following the recent return of grandparent scams in Hope.

Grandparent or emergency scams involve fraudsters calling victims to claim that a loved one is in legal trouble and urging them to pay a large sum to bail them out.

Police say recent cases in the Hope area involve a caller claiming that the loved one had been in a car accident where a pregnant woman was injured and that they needed money that could be picked up at the victim’s home or mailed by courier.

“This is a recurring scam that has been going on for many years. It is important for everyone to discuss these types of scams with their loved ones, especially seniors who are far too often the target of these types of frauds,” said Corporal Carmen Kiener, media spokesperson for the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment.

No arrests have been made, but investigations are ongoing.

Hope RCMP are also reminding residents that Canadian police and public agencies will never call to demand cash or other forms of payment. 

Anyone who has been scammed is asked to report it to their local detachment or call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 to report attempted scams where no money was lost.