Niagara police share shocking audio recording of real grandparent scam

Niagara police have released a shocking audio recording of a real phone call of a “grandparent scam” to increase public awareness and reduce future incidents.

Investigators say a grandparent scam typically involves a fraudster who impersonates a lawyer, police officer, family member or grandchild on phone calls and leads their victims to believe their loved ones are in distress and urgently need money for bail or other fees.

In a recording of a recent scam attempt, the fraudster identifies himself as police officer Antonio Conte and reads an arrest report to an elderly woman.

The scammer says two men – one of whom appears to have an unspecified connection to the woman – were involved in a car accident. He claims there were multiple warrants for the arrest of the vehicle owner, prompting police to search the car. He says officers found 10 lbs of marijuana in the trunk, which is “100 times over the legal limit and does constitute trafficking.”

The fraudster tells the elderly woman that both men were arrested and asks her if she’s willing to pay a bail bond of $9,550 to ensure the man related to her could be released that day.

“It has to be put up in cash. Not a cheque, not a bank draft,” the scammer says to the woman in the audio recording.

“Any wire transfer, credit card payment, bank draft or cheque is going to take 48 to 72 business hours to clear. So if you want him released here today, it’s got to be put up in cash.”

The fraudster promises the senior that the bail bond would be completely refunded within two business days.

When the victim asks the man what to tell the bank if a worker asks what the large amount of money would be for, the scammer orders her to not share the details with anyone.

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“Just tell them you’re doing some renovations in your kitchen or bathroom,” the fraudster says.

“Don’t tell them anything about the case. That’ll get his bail revoked and then he’ll get in more legal trouble.”

Niagara police did not say whether the elderly woman fell victim to the scam and provided the $9,550 to the fraudsters.

Investigators are warning seniors to not provide money or give a caller any information if they receive a call like the one in the audio recording.

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Rather, grandparents are advised to hang up and call their grandchild or the family member back with their real phone number.

Other safety tips include never confirming any personal information over the phone, always verifying who is calling, not being pressured, taking time to process what has been said to see if it makes sense, asking a trusted friend or family member for their opinion, or calling local police.

Anyone with information about suspects involved in the grandparent scam is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009076.