Calgary police are warning of an increase in grandparent scams

Since the beginning of 2024, Calgary seniors have lost tens of thousands of dollars to grandparent scams, according to Calgary police.

Since January, 32 cases have been reported, including 21 cases where at least $180,000 was lost.

Police said in nine of those incidents, the victims realized they had been scammed. In two other cases, investigators did not know the money was missing because a third party reported the crime.

According to police, in reported incidents, suspects call potential victims, pretending to be someone they know, telling them they've been arrested and need money urgently. They then ask for cash collateral, often in the thousands of dollars.

Victims are then told by the fraudsters to transfer the money via wire transfer or by personally sailing through a bogus “bond collector,” who then threatens the victims with a custom-made fake gag that pressures them to keep quiet.

WATCH: Calgary senior turns thousands over to bogus bond collector

Police explain that in most of these cases, the suspects impersonate law enforcement agencies and lawyers.

Calgary Police Service (CPS) officers and other law enforcement officers are not involved in collecting bail money from people over the phone, according to investigators.

“These scammers are clever at obtaining personal information through a number of methods to make their story believable while tapping into adults' generosity, trust and willingness to help their loved ones,” said Acting Sgt. Craig Stothard said in a statement. “We encourage anyone who has been victimized to report the incident to the police or a trusted family member or friend immediately.”

Police are asking the public to talk to seniors about grandparent scams and to remind them never to give money to people who contact them over the phone.

Anyone with information about the grandparent scam is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or report it anonymously through CrimeStoppers.