My Neighbor Fell for the "Grandson in Jail" Scam

[Charlie Prime]

I post this because I would like for you to warn any old people you know about this creative scam.

Yesterday morning I noticed a couple of police sedans at my elderly neighbor's house across the street.  In the afternoon I inquired if everything was okay.

My neighbor told me scam artists took him for $10,700.  This is a sharp old man who was an engineer for a large manufacturing corporation, and Korean a war veteran. He's no fool.  He does not suffer from Alzheimer's or anything.

The scammers called Saturday morning and pretended to be his grandson who is away at college.  "Grandson" told the old man he was in jail for being drunk at a party the night before, and needed bail money because his parents were out of town.

The scammers called several times, sometimes pretending to be the police, sometimes an attorney.  They had the old man run up his credit cards, and send them cash via Moneygram.  The old man became suspicious and managed to get hold of the boy on his cell phone at 2:00 am, but it was too late.

The FBI and local detectives told the old man he will not get his money back, and the odds of catching the thieves are low. 

These things seem like urban legends until they happen to someone you care about.  Please warn any old folks you know about this "grandchild in jail" scam.

[acs267]

What's to warn people about? Just ask them a few personal questions, and see if they're legit. Then again, why would you even believe them?

[hilariousandco]

I've not heard of this specific scam before, but I'm often confused how 'intelligent' people fall for these kind of tricks. You wouldn't send money without at least talking to your grandson first. And when you send bail money you won't be paying it to individuals will you? (unless you were paying a bondsman (but you should check these details first)). And even if the story turned out to be true; why bail him out? Just leave them in jail for a few days or whatever it is.

[IIOII]

I've heard of similar scams targeted at elderly persons before. There's always a phone call of a fake relative that needs help in an emergency situation.

I find it especially disgusting to exploit persons by inducing worries and addressing their wish to help others.

Such deadhearted criminals deserve to burn in hell.

[sana8410]

I post this because I would like for you to warn any old people you know about this creative scam.

Yesterday morning I noticed a couple of police sedans at my elderly neighbor's house across the street.  In the afternoon I inquired if everything was okay.

My neighbor told me scam artists took him for $10,700.  This is a sharp old man who was an engineer for a large manufacturing corporation, and Korean a war veteran. He's no fool.  He does not suffer from Alzheimer's or anything.

The scammers called Saturday morning and pretended to be his grandson who is away at college.  "Grandson" told the old man he was in jail for being drunk at a party the night before, and needed bail money because his parents were out of town.

The scammers called several times, sometimes pretending to be the police, sometimes an attorney.  They had the old man run up his credit cards, and send them cash via Moneygram.  The old man became suspicious and managed to get hold of the boy on his cell phone at 2:00 am, but it was too late.

The FBI and local detectives told the old man he will not get his money back, and the odds of catching the thieves are low. 

These things seem like urban legends until they happen to someone you care about.  Please warn any old folks you know about this "grandchild in jail" scam.

I hear about this kind of thing all the time! Seems like elder people are a constant target of scammers.

[RodeoX]

It's very sad when these scammers prey on the old and the vulnerable. Just shameless. 

[sana8410]

It's very sad when these scammers prey on the old and the vulnerable. Just shameless. 

A recent study by the American Association of Retird Persons (AARP) highlighted characteristics of people older than 50 that make them easy targets for financial abuse. In general, they: expect honesty in the marketplace, are less likely to take action when defrauded, and are less knowledgeable about their rights in an increasingly complex marketplace. And as people over 50 are more likely to be home than their younger neighbors, they are often within easy reach of devious telemarketers and home solicitors.

[bryant.coleman]

Just don't understand. First of all, the old man was having the boy's cell phone number with him. But he never tried to contact the boy, before sending in the money. Only after a few hours he contacted the boy.

[Vod]

Just don't understand. First of all, the old man was having the boy's cell phone number with him. But he never tried to contact the boy, before sending in the money. Only after a few hours he contacted the boy.

Why would he try and contact the boy?  He believed he was talking to him on the phone.

Only after he had sent money and got suspicious did he call his grandson.