Police dismantle grandparent scam: key arrests in senior targeting fraud

A network of fraudsters targeting the elderly across Canada with a “grandparent scam” has been broken up after a major police operation. This scam tricked seniors into thinking their loved ones were in urgent need of help, leading them to lose over $1.2 million in just three months.

Several police agencies worked together to arrest members of the group, charging them with various offenses. This case shows how vulnerable older adults can be to scams that play on trust and family ties.

How the grandparent scam worked

The grandparent scam starts with a simple but very misleading phone call. A scammer would call an elderly person, using tricks to build trust and create panic. They often called landline numbers, popular among older adults, to pose as a grandchild in trouble, needing their “grandparent’s” help right away.

Typically, the call starts with a worried voice saying, “Hey Grandma, it’s me.” This leaves room for the victim to guess the name, like “Jack.” The scammer pretends to be “Jack,” claiming to be in a car accident, arrested, or involved with drugs—all needing quick bail money.

“I need your help, Grandma. I was in an accident, and the police found drugs in the car. They want me to pay bail,” was a common plea. To make it believable, scammers would pass the phone to someone pretending to be a police officer or lawyer. They pressed on the urgency, asking for a lot of money—usually cash—and even told victims what to say at the bank if questioned.

These scams played on the love grandparents have for their grandchildren, hoping they’d help without questioning. Victims were also told to keep it secret, often pretending it was a legal matter or agreement. The scammers even gave stories for bank tellers, like claiming the money was to buy a car.

The investigation and arrests

The investigation, named Project Sharp, was a team effort involving the Ontario Provincial Police OPP, Sûreté du Québec, and other agencies. They used wiretapping and surveillance to find 23 call centers in Montreal, Laval, and Toronto used by the scammers. These call centers made between 600 to 700 calls daily, using tricks to hide their identity and reach more potential victims.

A key person in the scam, 24-year-old Giordano De Luca from Laval, Quebec, was often the “opener,” making the first call to trick victims. He sometimes acted as a “closer,” pretending to be part of the police asking for bail money. Police caught calls where De Luca would pretend to be a grandchild and then pass the call to another scammer for the “official” request.

In one call, De Luca fooled an 86-year-old woman, making her believe her grandson was arrested and needed $8,000 for bail. She almost withdrew the money, but law enforcement stopped it in time. Others across Canada faced similar scams, with victims losing thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

Police found that people in the organization used nicknames to hide their identities. De Luca was called “John,” and others had nicknames like “Pav,” “Glasses,” “Pitt,” and “Zeus.” The leader, known as “Levi,” often spoke to De Luca, telling him who to call and urging him to keep trying, even as banks were closing, to seize any chance to scam people.

Even though these scams only worked one to two percent of the time, the large number of calls meant even a few successes brought in a lot of money. From January to April, investigators found 126 victims who lost a combined $739,810. Police were able to stop another $500,000 from being stolen by intercepting calls and acting quickly.

The scope of the scam network

The grandparent scam network was large and well-organized, with different roles for different members. The “openers” were the first to contact victims, using emotions to create urgency. Once the victim was interested, the “closers” stepped in, pretending to be police or legal officials to make the scam seem real and get money.

Then, came the “couriers”—usually lower-ranking members—who were in charge of picking up cash from the victims’ homes or banks.

De Luca wasn’t accused of being a courier, but he helped transport funds for the scam. Police watched De Luca and another leader, “Levi”, meet with someone called “Chef” to collect money from couriers. These meetings happened in different places, with officers seeing items being passed around, which further linked De Luca to the scam.

The investigation also found out the scammers used a lot of technology. They used burner phones to avoid getting caught, often changing numbers and places to stay ahead of the police. They also used online directories like Canada411 to find potential victims. They targeted people with old-fashioned names, thinking they might be older. The group’s operations were flexible, with members moving between cities to set up new call centers and reach more people.

The impact on victims

The emotional and financial impact of the grandparent scam is significant. Many victims were seniors living on fixed incomes. Losing thousands of dollars hit them hard, both financially and emotionally. They often felt ashamed and blamed themselves, even though the scammers were very convincing.

The scam was particularly heartbreaking because it played on the victims’ emotions. They thought they were helping a grandchild in crisis, only to find out they were tricked. This led to a huge loss of trust in others and their decision-making. Many victims felt anxious and were afraid to answer their phones or talk to new people.

Police highlight the need to support fraud victims. Besides getting their money back, victims need help recovering emotionally. Community groups and mental health experts can help them rebuild trust and feel safe again. Authorities are also spreading awareness about scams to help prevent these from happening and to encourage open discussions about fraud.

Protecting seniors from fraud

After the arrests, police stressed how crucial it is for people to know about these scams. Many seniors didn’t even know these scams existed until it was too late, and they had already lost their money. Officials say knowing the common tricks scammers use is a great way to protect yourself.

The grandparent scam is just one type of elder fraud, which has become more common lately. AARP reports show a big jump in elder fraud cases between 2021 and 2022, with over 78 percent of adults over 65 experiencing some type of scam. Elder fraud often hits older people who have retirement savings or other assets, making the financial blow harsh.

Authorities suggest that seniors be cautious and follow a few easy steps to avoid scams. One practical tip is to check who’s calling you. If someone says they’re a grandchild in trouble, call them directly on a number you know to verify their story. Also, talk to family or trusted friends about any odd calls before you decide to act. Scammers like to make things seem urgent and secret, but taking a moment to check things out can often expose the scam.

Police also want banks to help protect older customers. Bank employees can notice strange withdrawals or transfers and ask questions to stop fraudulent actions. Many banks are now training their staff to spot signs of elder fraud and act on them.

Following the arrests, De Luca told a court in Ottawa that they were guilty of fraud over $5,000, being the first of the group to be convicted. Other group members are waiting for their trials for crimes like identity fraud and being part of a criminal organization. Catching this group is a win for police, but they warn that other groups are still trying similar scams. So, knowing about scams and being careful is still crucial in fighting elder fraud.