West Kelowna

It's a scam that's been around for years and it's back in the Central Okanagan.

Called the 'Grandparent Scam' or 'Emergency Scam' and it is usually perpetrated on the elderly.

In a typical scenario, a grandparent receives a phone call from a con-artist claiming to be one of their grandchildren.

The call says they are in some kind of trouble and need money immediately.

The reasons given can vary but recently, fraudsters have been requesting money for bail.

Victims don't verify the story until after the money has been sent as the caller specifically asks that they do not want other relatives to know what has happened by asking “Can you please help me? I'm in jail, but don't tell dad! Please send the money ASAP."

Wanting to help who they believe to be their grandchild, the victim sends money by a money transfer company only to confirm with family later that they had been scammed.

Variations on the scam exist but predominantly the emergency scam is directed toward Grandparents.

More information about frauds and scams can be found at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/