The RCMP are warning the public of a so-called grandparent scam making the rounds after a woman in Whitbourne was scammed out of $20,000.

The Mounties say the victim was first contacted on May 14 by a person claiming to be with the RCMP in Alberta, who asked for $10,000 to be sent to an address in Quebec to get her grandson out of jail.

The victim was told to send the money via FedEx and to not tell anyone about it.

The scammers did not stop there however, as the victim was contacted again two days later with a request for another $10,000—which they told her would be returned once her grandson was released.

Those responsible are said to have coached the victim on how to withdraw the money in case bank employees questioned what was happening. This time, the money was sent through Purolator.

After not receiving the money back the victim spoke with family and was told that she had been victimized.

A second report was received by the RCMP around the same time of another attempted scam in which the perpetrators requested gift cards as payment for their grandchild’s release. However, in this case a family member intervened before any money was sent.

The RCMP is asking people to speak to their family and friends—especially seniors, about such scams.

The investigation is ongoing.