Grandparent Scam

The grandparent scam exploits the emotional vulnerability of older adults and the powerful instinct to protect family members. A caller — sometimes using AI voice-cloning to imitate a family member's voice — claims to be a grandchild, niece, nephew, or child who has been arrested, injured in an accident, or is otherwise in serious trouble overseas or in another city. The caller urgently requests money and often asks the victim not to tell other family members so as not to 'worry them' or 'upset Mum'.

A second caller may then pose as a lawyer, bail bondsman, or police officer who confirms the story and provides payment instructions. Victims are directed to send cash via courier, buy gift cards and read out the codes, or wire funds internationally. The scam depends on urgency and secrecy preventing victims from independently verifying the story.

Prevention involves establishing a family code word or callback protocol: always hang up and call the supposed relative directly on a known number before sending any money. Courier cash payments — where fraudsters send a 'runner' to collect banknotes from the victim's home — should be treated as a major red flag.