Pictou County District RCMP are warning the public about scams occurring in rural Nova Scotia, instructing victims to provide money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since last year, police have received numerous complaints of frauds, which are sometimes referred to as the ‘grandparent scam’ or ’emergency scam.’ Victims are contacted in a perceived urgent situation and instructed to provide money to alleviate a bad circumstance of a loved one such as, but not limited to, being in jail or in a car accident. This scam was predominantly targeted in the Halifax Region earlier in the year and now is being seen in the rural areas of Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pictou RCMP received a report yesterday from a senior couple that they provided fraudsters $22,500 over 3 days in a similar circumstance. The victim was instructed to withdraw cash from their bank and once completed a “courier” or “bondsman” would come by their residence and retrieve the cash. In this case the “courier” was described as being tall, of African descent wearing a medical mask and business casual clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police want to highlight that authorities in Canada do not solicit release of someone for money and are reminding the public these fraudsters are very good at what they do; they’re believable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To protect themselves against these frauds, people can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sgt. Andrew Joyce of Pictou County District RCMP urges everyone to speak to their parents and grandparents as well as neighbours about this particular scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n