Canada phone scam strikes Napa | Napa Valley Register

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Canada phone scam strikes Napa

Friday, November 06, 2009

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By ALISHA WYMAN
Register Staff Writer

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Napa police are investigating a scam in which suspects call victims, pretend to be their relatives and then ask for money.

In this form of fraud, people call victims and often pose as their grandchild. Callers say they have been arrested in Canada and need money to get out of jail, said police spokesman Lt. Brian McGovern.

Callers then hand the phone off to someone reputed to be their attorney, who gives instructions on how to wire the money, McGovern said.

If the victim complies, the suspect calls again the next day and asks for more money to cover travel costs back to the United States.

Three local victims have lost about $2,000 each, he said.

Investigators are still looking into if the calls are originating from local suspects, but it appears the money is actually being wired to Canada, McGovern said.

“It’s something new that we’re just starting to see,” he said.

8 comment(s)

JJtoob wrote on Nov 6, 2009 12:43 AM:

" I wonder if they mean new as in Canada, or new as in scams, because I've heard of this before. Too bad people still fall for these kinds of tricks... "

Sassy1 wrote on Nov 6, 2009 9:11 AM:

" OK sorry if I seem a bit harsh on those who sent money to CANADA & actually beleived this without checking with another realtive...parent...sibling... or even asked more questions before doing a wire transfer especially in these times I would think we ALL would be a bit more aprehensive just my thoughts and yes I have kids (grown) but would know if they traveled out of the country. "

Little Lord Fauntleroy wrote on Nov 6, 2009 12:14 PM:

" Canada: The new Nigeria "

drtymick75 wrote on Nov 6, 2009 2:25 PM:

" I'll be harsh.. People who fall for these scams deserve it! "

crooked6pence wrote on Nov 6, 2009 3:05 PM:

" Caller: Ahhhh, this is your long lost nephew from Canada 'eh.
Old Lady: Oh hello dear , how have you been?
Caller: Ahhhh, not very well 'eh, just got arrested and am sitting in the clinker, 'eh.
Old Lady: Oh dear, that is terrible and unacceptable, is there anything I can do to help?
Caller: Ahhhh, yah, can u send me like, $2,000 U.S.?
Old Lady: Well of course sonny! Anything for a dear nephew who I can't even remember!
Caller: Ahhhh... hold on a sec, I am gonna put on my "accountant" from Nigeria, he'll provide you with where you should send the scrilla 'eh.

What a joke! "

MarkMiwords wrote on Nov 6, 2009 8:40 PM:

" crooked6pence: Beauty entry, 'eh? :) "

jpcrash wrote on Nov 6, 2009 11:14 PM:

" This story was published in this paper i think a few months ago. same scam "

blondie005 wrote on Nov 9, 2009 9:06 AM:

" My grandmother got this call a few weeks ago. Looks like now the Napa Police are taking this seriously. The scammers have also changed there mo a bit. The "I've been arrested" has been added. At first it was just they were in Canada and needed to get home. These people do there homework because they know personal information. Just a heads up. "

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