This scam is operated by fraudsters claiming to be a family member or a close friend of a family member and advising the potential victim about an urgent situation that requires immediate funds.
Common themes have been that the family member was arrested or got into an accident while traveling abroad. Thus fees are required for hospital expenses, or bail.
Since 2009, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has received 17,132 emergency scam complaints were received accounting for more than 24 million dollars in reported losses. The average loss per victim was $3,743.07.
Of the 17,132 complaints there were 11,889 emergency scam occurrences reported by Canadians.
How to protect yourself? Confirm with other relatives the whereabouts of the family member or friend.
Police, judges or legal entities will never request that money be sent through money service business such as Western Union, MoneyGram.
Never voluntarily give out family members names or information to unknown callers.
Always question urgent requests for money.
Please consult the following website for more details: http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/home.html
Cpl. D.J. (Dave) Tyreman is the District Advisory Media Relations person for the North District.