A 76-year-old San Luis Obispo grandmother was scammed earlier this month. According to SLOPD, the SLO resident was a victim of what is called the “Grandparent Scam”.
The victim said she received a call from a male suspect who claimed to be her son. The suspect told the victim he was in legal trouble and needed money sent to a lawyer. During the call, another suspect joined the conversation claiming to be the lawyer. The supposed lawyer advised the victim how to purchase “Money Pak” or “Green Dot” pre-loaded credit/money cards.
Once the victim purchased the cards, she was asked to provide the account information of the cards to the suspect pretending to be the lawyer. According to SLOPD, the suspects immediately converted the card information to cash before the crime was discovered. The victim was taken for $8,000.
It is unknown how the suspect was able to pass for the victim’s son. SLOPD is still investigating the crime.
