~From the Prince Rupert RCMP
The Prince Rupert RCMP would like to warn the public of an emerging telephone scam in which an unknown caller states they're a lawyer for the victim's loved one and they require payment to bail family member out of jail.
On March 22nd, 2012 the Prince Rupert RCMP received a complaint with regards to a telephone scam. The victim stated that they had received telephone call from a person using the name "Richard Wiseman" who alleged that they were the lawyer for the victims great granddaughter. The caller then advised that the great granddaughter had been arrested in Montreal and that a cash bail of over $2,500.00 was required to have them released from custody.
The caller then put a female on the phone who introduced themselves as the great granddaughter, and provided fake details about the incident. After the introduction was made the caller was put back on the phone and advised that the payment could be made through any Western Union using the following details:
Receiver: William Shields
Transaction Number: MTCN 233-434-4350
Available in: Oka, Quebec
The victim in this instance proceeded to a local Western Union to forward the cash bail request. During the transaction the teller who had been familiar with telephone frauds advised the victim to get in contact with their great granddaughter and confirm the details with them. Upon making contact the victims great granddaughter she advised that no such incident had taken place and that she did not require any money.
"As a result of this incident the victim did not pay any money and was not defrauded," stated Cst. Ericson spokesman for the Prince Rupert RCMP.
"We would also like to publicly thank the Western Union teller who was very attentive in this situation and prevented a member of the community from being victimized”.
The RCMP would also like to remind the public to contact their local RCMP Detachment, police agency, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) if you have been a victim or have any information regarding this type of telephone scam.