The so-called “grandparent scam” is making the rounds in metro again as the RNC report seeing such crimes more frequently of late. And the fraudsters are coming away with thousands.

Such scams emerge from time to time, but RNC Constable James Cadigan says, in one situation, a person passed themselves off as a police officer, telling the victim that they had their grandchild in custody and required several thousand dollars to pay lawyers and to cover off other expenses.

The person on the other end fell for it.

Police are asking people in the community to speak with seniors in the neighbourhood and let them know what is happening. Anyone who has gotten such a call is asked to contact the RNC.

They’re also asking financial institutions to be aware of what’s happening.

He’s asking people who work in those institutions to be cautious if a senior comes in looking for a large sum of money, and to make them aware of such scams.