Wire-Fraud
High
The Grandmother Who Lost Her Retirement to a Grandchild Scam
Barbara’s Story
Barbara, 81, from Ohio, received a call at 7 AM on a Tuesday morning. The voice on the phone sounded exactly like her 23-year-old grandson Michael.
“Grandma, please help me. I was in a car accident. I hit a pregnant woman. I’m in jail and they won’t let me go until I post bail. I was drinking, Grandma. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad.”
The call lasted 45 minutes. Barbara spoke with Michael, then a “lawyer,” then a “judge.” They told her she needed to wire $47,000 immediately or Michael would remain in jail for 6 months.