PETERBOROUGH-16-year-old Carson Lamond-Westlake loves his grandpa and he is using that love to help recover some of the money the man lost to the grandparent scam.
“My grandpa has always been there for me. He’s always taken care of me if my mom couldn’t drive me somewhere he would take me, he does a lot for me. I love him.”
In March, 86-year-old Darrell Lamond was scammed out of $10,000 after someone pretending to be his grandson called him crying and asking for money to cover his bail.
Carson was away skiing at the time and says he feels bad that he hadn’t reached out to his grandpa while he was away.
“I felt like it was my fault since I was away for three days and I hadn’t talked to him that much. If I had only sent him one text he would have known it wasn’t me.”
Carson says the scammers were very convincing and even provided his grandfather with an excuse for withdrawing a large sum of money without raising suspicion at the bank.
“He got a call when I was away skiing on the March Break in Blue Mountain. My grandpa got a call and he thought it was me, the person was crying and saying they were in jail and needed bail money. They put an RCMP (fake)on the phone who instructed him to go to the bank and take out money for “house renovations” and came to his house the next day and took the money.”
The “I Love My Grandpa” T-Shirt campaign is Carson’s way of helping his grandpa recover the money he lost. His goal is to raise $5,000. Any amount over and above that will be donated to the local Crimestoppers to help other victims.
To buy a T-shirt or donate click here: http://ilovemygrandpa.mailchimpsites.com
Carson is also hoping the campaign will raise awareness.
“Reach out and talk to your grandparents and loved ones to raise awareness, more information needs to be shared with the community to prevent others from having to go through the same heartache.”
The grandparent scam has been very active and successful in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes over the past few weeks.
Kawartha Lakes Police said an 81-year-old resident almost fell victim to the scam on Thursday. The person went to the bank to withdraw $9,000 but an astute teller became suspicious and called police.
Peterborough Police have investigated at least seven such incidents since the beginning of March.
On Thursday, March 10, 2022, officers were made aware that an 82-year-old Peterborough resident received a phone call saying they were a police officer and that $10, 000 was required for the granddaughter’s release. An exchange was set up at the residence and the money handed over. The victim then became concerned and called police.
The suspect was described to police as a white Male in his early 20’s.
On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, officers were made aware of an incident where a 75-year-old victim was asked for $12,000. Money was exchanged at their residence on Friday, March 11, 2022.
The suspect was described to police as a black male, stocky, wearing a black hoody and black pants.
On the evening of Friday, March 11, 2022, officers were made aware of the incident after the scammers called back and requested another $10,000 from the 87-year-old victim. The day before the victim had received a call that their grandson was in custody and $10,000 was required for his release. The victim attended two banks to get the money. A person attended the victim’s home, and the money was handed over.
The suspect was described to police as a black male, wearing a grey hoody and a black mask.
On Wednesday, March 23, 2022 when a 79-year-old resident received a call from a man indicating he was a lawyer representing their grandson and required money for the grandson’s release. The victim took out over $5,000 and told officers a man came to pick it up from their residence in the Chemong Road and Wolsely Street area. The victim became suspicious when the lawyer called back asking for more money and called police.
The suspect is described to police as male, black, thin,wearing dark pants, black/navy top, mask and a grey toque.
On March 24th Peterborough Police said they had another two incidents where over $5,000 was requested and some money exchanged.
On March 31,Peterborough Police said they had learned of another grandparent scam incident along with several attempts.
In the one incident money was sent through a courier. The victim realized once the money was sent that it was a scam and contacted police on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Officers investigated and working with the courier company were able to prevent the package from being delivered, returning the money to the victim. The Peterborough Police Service recognizes that this is a positive outcome which doesn’t always happen in these types of cases. The investigation continues.
In the attempted incidents, the potential victims were contacted by phone with a monetary request to help a family member in need.
Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.stopcrimehere.ca
How the Grandparent Scam Works
- The suspect calls the victim pretending to be a law enforcement officer, friend or the grandchild
- The suspect seems to know basic information but not necessarily specifics
- The suspect indicates the grandchild is in trouble or needs money
- The suspect tells you how much money is needed and that someone will pick it up at their residence
- The suspects demand the victim does not tell anyone about the phone and help create stories for the victim to use if asked why the money is needed
- The suspect will often call back asking for more money
What to do if you receive a call:
- Do not provide any personal information
- Do not hand any money over
- Remember police will never go to your door to ask for money nor would they ask money to be given to a courier
- Stay calm even if the suspect is pressuring and indicating this is an urgent matter
- If you are concerned it’s a scam call police or a person you trust
- Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
