Vancouver police are warning of a troubling and brazen new scam that has left three seniors out thousands of dollars for fake legal fees 乌鸦传媒� with the act being caught on a home security camera.

The scam, which was first reported on Jan. 12, targeted two groups of seniors in the same day. In the first instance, a couple in their 70s who live on the west side were called by a man who claimed their nephew had been in a car accident and needed $8,000 to get out of jail. The fraudster then went to the couple乌鸦传媒檚 house where they gave him the money.

Later that day, police say a 75-year-old woman in Kitsilano was called with similar claims about her grandson. In this instance, the fraudster showed up and collected $9,000.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 not uncommon for scammers to target the elderly by contacting them by mail, telephone, or online,乌鸦传媒� said Const. Tania Visintin. 乌鸦传媒淲hat乌鸦传媒檚 different and concerning is that fraudsters are now showing up at the victims乌鸦传媒� doorsteps to collect cash. It乌鸦传媒檚 brazen, and we乌鸦传媒檙e concerned about peoples乌鸦传媒� safety.乌鸦传媒�

Both incidents are being probed by financial crimes investigators. Police have also released footage of a person of interest in the act, and is urging anyone with information to contact the VPD.

乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e reaching out to other police agencies to determine how far reaching this scam is,乌鸦传媒� Visintin said. 乌鸦传媒淯ntil we know more, we urge everyone to be cautious about strangers who ask for money.乌鸦传媒�

ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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