Since her husband had been cheated on before, she thought she could catch it if someone tried to cheat on her. “I thought it would never happen to us again,” the woman said.
But he turned out to be wrong.
Last week, the 87-year-old woman and her husband were targeted by someone posing as their grandson, asking them for bail money.
The Oakville couple is just one of many grandparents in the Greater Toronto Area who have been victimized by those whose modus operandi is to use the elderly’s affection and love for their grandchildren to swindle them out of thousands of dollars.
Several police agencies in the area have warned of an increase in grandparent scams, sometimes called “emergency scams”, this year. In York Region, police said between Aug. 4 and Aug. 11, 13 incidents were reported that resulted in the loss of more than $50,000.
While police agencies have made arrests in connection with the scam, those involved in the scheme appear undeterred.
Speaking to CP24.com on condition of anonymity, Barclay’s grandmother detailed how the scammers managed to trick her and her husband into handing over $10,000 in cash.
It happened on August 22nd. He got a call from an unknown number that Monday morning. The 87-year-old woman said something strange as soon as she answered the phone because of the way the man on the other line greeted her.
“Hi Grandma.”
The greeting left the 87-year-old bewildered. Her eight grandchildren never referred to her as “grandma.” She noted that she was always called “nan” or “nanny.”
“I was very suspicious,” she said. When she asked the man who he was, the man claimed he was her grandson. Still suspicious, the woman said she told the man he didn’t sound like her grandson.
He remembered the man, who will be referred to as fake James in the story, justifying taking a throat swab for a COVID-19 test, so his voice was a little different.
While the woman was still not fully convinced, she gave the phone to her husband as instructed by the fake James. The woman stayed by her husband’s side to see what the man wanted.
The fake James, the woman said, then told them that he and a friend named Stephen were driving when police pulled them over and arrested them for the “huge amount” of marijuana found in their car.
He then asked them to send the $10,000 they needed for bail, the woman said.
“We’re both about to pass out,” she said, adding that fake James asked for the cash to be sent before the end of that day.
“He said, ‘if I don’t (give it in) by a certain time this evening, they will have no choice but to book me. Once I close, it’s open for the world to see,” the woman recalled.
At that moment, all the couple was thinking about was their grandson’s future.
“James is a professional athlete and has an amazing job. The last thing we wanted was for James’ name to be in the papers being involved in drugs,” the woman said.
Barclay plays in the National Lacrosse League (Las Vegas Desert Dogs) and the Premier Lacrosse League (Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club).
“So we just did what we could,” he said, even though at the time they had no idea where to get the money. The woman added that fake James also warned them not to tell anyone else about the situation or he would get into further trouble.
With no source of cash, the 87-year-old said she decided to take her jewelery and other items she inherited to Oliver Jewellery. She recalled being given $10,000 – all in $100 bills.
“I kept my engagement ring and my wedding ring. I took everything I was wearing — everything — and turned it in,” she said.
After taking the money, the woman said they were given instructions on where to put it. They were told to put the cash on the front page of a magazine, stamp it and put it inside a white envelope with her husband’s name on it along with the judge’s name and the case number – all made up by fraudsters.
They were then told that the court official would come to their house to collect the money, which they did not like. She said she and her husband insisted on handing over the money to see their grandson, but the scammers were adamant, making excuses like the courthouse was a two-hour drive away.
He said the fake James assured them they could trust the person who would get the money. The woman said she was becoming more and more skeptical, but all she could think about at the time was her grandson.
“In the back of my mind, what is my choice? Don’t give the money and James’ life is ruined forever. Give the money and maybe it’s wrong, but isn’t it better that at least James is okay,” he said. looking back on her decision.
“For him to have started a career and do so well at everything he does and have it destroyed overnight would be horrible. So, the choice was there was no choice.”
A short time later, a man, whom the woman described as wearing a well-fitting, well-kept hood and a mask, arrived at their home to collect the $10,000. Sensing something was wrong, the woman said she muttered, “I think this is a scam.”
He said the man denied it as expected. In the end, ensuring her grandson’s safety outweighed her doubts and misgivings, so she handed over the cash.
Before leaving, the man informed her that fake James would call her in a few minutes. After 25 minutes without a word, the woman called her grandson’s number to make sure he was out.
But instead of relief, she would soon discover that her suspicions were correct.
The real James Barkley was finishing up work when his grandmother called that Monday afternoon. In addition to being a professional lacrosse player, Barclay also works as an account executive for a software company.
“I answered the phone and he immediately asked me, ‘James San, are you okay?’ And I said, “Yeah, I’m fine. Why? What’s going on?” Barkley told CP24.com, recalling his conversation with his grandmother. “He says ‘are you in jail?’
Barclay replied: “No, I’m not in jail.” At that moment, he said his grandmother immediately realized what had happened.
She had been cheated on.
As he recounted what happened to him, the scammers called his grandmother and thanked her for the money.
Barkley said his grandmother put that call on speaker so he could hear them. He recorded part of the call when his distraught grandmother confronted the scammer.
Scammer/Fake James (FJ): This is James. Thank you very much.
Barclay’s Grandma (BG): You don’t sound like James.
FJ: What do you mean?
BG: What is your middle name? James who?
FJ: What?! What do you mean?
BG: Well, I want to know your full name.
FJ: Are you okay?
BG: No!
FJ: What’s going on?
BG: Well, tell me your full name, James.
FJ: You know my full name.
BG: I’m asking you your full name
FJ: I can’t… What? I can not hear you.
BG: I want your full name, James.
FJ: Can I call you in a few minutes and I’ll give you everything?
BG: No! You should know your full name.
FJ: Yes, but I can’t hear what you’re saying. Can I call you in 10 minutes, please?
BG: Well, it’s okay if you can’t… You can hear me. You can hear me speak. I’m asking you what’s your name.
Frustrated with the impostor, Barkley’s grandmother hung up.
“I just felt so stupid,” the woman said. She believes the people responsible for the scam were the same ones who called her a few days ago.
The woman recalls receiving a call three days before the incident from someone offering to check her oven. He said he was asked if he was over 80 years old. She found it strange but accepted the offer and made an appointment. But no one ever came.
“It bothers me now that I was so stupid,” said the woman.
The scam has been reported to Halton Regional Police. CP24 has contacted Halton Police for an update on the case.
As for the jewelry, Barkley said the family was able to get it back from the store. He added that he is still amazed at what happened to his grandparents.
“I can’t believe they have the audacity to do something like this in the first place and they like the risk involved in their ending. I’m just happy to know my grandparents weren’t hurt in any way,” he said. adding that his grandparents did not deserve to go through such a traumatic experience.
“Losing the money is the only thing, but I think she’s very proud and she’s very alert and witty and smart,” Barclay said. “She’s really upset with herself and she’s kind of disappointed that this happened.”
He said a small part of him feels guilty about what happened because his identity was used to make fun of his grandparents.
“It’s gross,” Barkley said. “Like, I can’t believe I heard the guy pretending to be me on the phone.”
Barclay and his grandmother hope that by sharing their experience it won’t happen to others.
As for her advice, Barclay’s grandmother said, “That if someone calls saying it’s their grandson, ask them to say their full name right away.”
She believes the scammers could not go ahead with their plan because they did not know her grandson’s full name.
“You have to ask questions.”
