By Mary O’KEEFE

For the second time in recent weeks elderly residents have been conned by suspects who call pretending to be a grandson/granddaughter in trouble.

From a car accident to driving under the influence, the predators prey on their victims’ vulnerability and loyalty to their families.

On Dec. 12, a La Cañada elderly resident reported receiving a call from a man who identified as the resident’s grandson. He told the resident he had been involved in a traffic collision with a celebrity’s vehicle while he, the man acting as the grandson, was texting. He said he had been arrested and needed a specific amount of money in order to make bail.

Then another suspect got on the phone and told the resident he was acting as his grandson’s attorney. He advised the resident to withdraw funds in cash from his bank and the court would send a runner to his house to pick up the money.

The resident went to the bank, withdrew the money and went home to wait for the runner. He was then called by someone who said he was a judge. He was instructed to give the money to the runner who had arrived at his home. The resident handed the money to him, and the runner left the area.

During the conversation the suspect asked the resident’s age, which he shared; therefore the suspects knew the resident was an elderly person, giving this crime, if the suspects are caught, an additional charge of elder abuse. 

The resident called his grandson the next morning to find he had not been involved in an accident. The resident then reported the fraud to the sheriff’s department.

The suspect/runner is described as a male Hispanic in his 30s with dark curly hair, clean-shaven, 6’ tall and weighing about 225 lbs. At the time he was wearing a dark beanie and a bright orange or yellow jacket.

This story is similar to a type of scam that has been popular throughout the U.S.

CVW joins law enforcement in warning residents of this type of scam as well as others. If something seems suspicious, even a little suspicious, it is worth taking time to check any claim of need. In an instant like the above scam, where an alleged grandchild calls in a panic and needs help, it is important to verify information. Get numbers of the alleged attorneys or police, call the grandchild or person who is supposedly in need, and/or call law enforcement to help verify.

There is more advice from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. in this week’s CVW page 3 In Briefs section.

  Mary Okeefe