RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador are warning residents of a “grandparents scam” that is currently in circulation where the scammer is representing themselves as a police officer, targeting victims to provide bail money for an arrested loved one, or money for a loved one who was in an accident.

Recently, people on the Burin Peninsula have told officers that they received a phone call from an individual who identified themselves as an RCMP officer and provided a fake name. The scammer used the legitimate names of victims’ family members and told them that the relative had been arrested and required money for bail.

In one instance, someone was contacted and informed that their child, who was residing in Alberta, was arrested and needed money for bail. In another instance, an individual was contacted by a scammer pretending to be an officer with the Marystown RCMP and advised that their child was in an accident and in need of money.

RCMP will never ask for money from the public for the purpose of bail or any other reason. RCMP NL ask the public to discuss this type of scam with elders or vulnerable people in their family or community.