Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Alerting about family/grandparent emergencies scams Which has cost the residents a total of $100,000 so far.
Authorities said they have received reports over the past few weeks of these scams, where a person receives a call from someone claiming to be a family member in an emergency and need money for bail or hospital bills.
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Another person may also be operating the scam claiming himself to be a police officer, lawyer, doctor or other authority.
Police say that in each case, the victims handed over money to a man claiming to be a courier, bailiff or bailiff with persistent requests for around $9,000.
Investigators said the man was tall, slim and well-groomed, with clean-shaven hair and facial hair.
The SPS is warning that the suspects have personal information on the victim’s family which officers suspect they have obtained from social media.
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The police also gave some tips to avoid getting cheated:
- Confirm the family member or friend’s whereabouts with other relatives.
- Police, judges, government authorities, or legal entities will never request that money be sent by courier or mail.
- Never volunteer family members’ names or information to unknown callers.
- Always question urgent requests for money.
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