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HomeNewsNanaimo RCMP warning about phone scam, Sunshine Coast RCMP say "grandson" scam...

Nanaimo RCMP warning about phone scam, Sunshine Coast RCMP say "grandson" scam is back

Nanaimo RCMP are warning residents about a telephone scam, where people are bullied in an attempt to get money.

A 62-year-old man got a call from someone who identified themselves as George Billesky on Tuesday, March 4. Billesky said he works with the Department of Justice and told the man he owed money. When the man said he was going to call his lawyer, Billesky got mad and threatened to call police. He said police would “beat him black and blue”.

Instead, the man made the right choice by hanging up and calling Nanaimo RCMP.

“By background noises it appeared he was calling from a call center, and this male was as just as rude and aggressive as the first caller,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP. O’Brien says it was obviously a scam, using aggressive language and outright threats of physical violence.

Sunshine Coast RCMP, meanwhile, are reporting another resident has fallen victim to the so-called “grandson” scam.

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In this case a woman called, claiming to be the victim’s granddaughter.  She said she was in an accident and was being charged with impaired driving. She asked the target for money to help pay a fine that would make the charge go away. It was only after wiring money to a third party in Quebec that the victim got in touch with her actual granddaughter and realized she’d been taken in.

Police say if you get calls from scammers, hang up and report it to police.

To learn more about frauds and scams and how to protect yourself, visit www.phonebusters.com.

 

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