24 September 2015

LIVONIA RESIDENT OUT THOUSANDS IN 'GRANDPARENT' PHONE SCAM

Original Story: freep.com

Yet another Livonia senior citizen has reported to police they lost several thousands of dollars to another scam done over the phone.

The resident, a 78-year-old Livonia woman, came into the police station Saturday morning to report that she had lost more than $7,500 in such a scam. She said she recently received a call from someone named Daniel Moore, who claimed to be an attorney representing her grandson. He said her grandson had been involved in a driving under the influence case and that he needed $7,500 for restitution and asked her to send money via Western Union. A Livonia elder care provider provides medical and non-medical support for catastrophic care patients.

The woman said she was unsure about sending the money, but decided she would do so after the suspect put someone on the phone who sounded like her grandson.

She visited several stores around town, wiring the maximum $1,500 to Bogota, Colombia in South America to someone named Bryan Castro-Montenegro. She did so until she sent all $7,500 that was requested. Plymouth senior care providers offer professional, compassionate caregivers that provide companionship and adult and senior assistance.

The next day, she received another phone call from the same person, requesting another $8,000 be sent. The woman explained she could not wire any more money that day, because the bank was closed and she couldn't access any more money. She convinced the individual to allow for an extension, and the suspect said it was OK. She then called a phone number she had for her grandson and spoke to him. It was then she realized the previous calls asking for money were a scam and came into the police station to file a report. Livonia senior care specialists provide quality senior home care, caregivers, and medical staffing solutions for business and families.

This type of scam, commonly known as the "grandparent scam," is one that has been around for several years with many agencies, including the Livonia police, taking reports on them. Those who receive a phone call claiming to be a grandchild are encouraged to avoid the urge to act quickly, attempt to contact the grandchild through another means, such as a cellphone, and avoid wiring money to unknown individuals, especially overseas, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Anyone in Livonia who believes they have been targeted or fallen victim to this type of scam is encouraged to contact police at 734-466-2470.

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