RCMP are urging people to be on the lookout for scammers.

 

The Turtle Mountain RCMP would like to remind everyone that frauds appear to be on the rise in this area again. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't. If you experience a strange e-mail/text/phone call giving a sad or distressful story, followed by a request for money, DO NOT SEND IT.

Corporal Murray Haggerty says they’ve seen an increase of both online and phone fraud. “We believe it’s not just the Turtle Mountain area but happening across the province and entire country.”

 

“Most people are aware of the scams however we do find on the odd occasion some people are taken in by these scammers.”

 

Police are warning residents of a "grandparent" phone scam. The scammers call claiming to be a relative (usually a grandchild or son) and stating that they have been involved in an accident with a pregnant woman. They then convince the victims to pay large sums of money in order to have the relative released from jail or to cover the damages from the accident. The scammers then send someone to the home to collect the money.

Police say the same type of scam happened in January, but the scammers are back in Brandon again. This scam may be coming to this area. Call police or 911 immediately if you get this kind of phone call or someone shows up at your residence to collect money.

“If you get a suspicious call from someone you don’t know and they’re asking for personal information and some kind of financial information it’s likely a scam and don’t be afraid to simply hang up.”

 

RCMP say many of the scammers are out of the country and that makes it difficult to move forward with investigations. “However, there are scammers working in Canada and charges are laid on occasion,” said Corporal Haggerty