Grandpa / Grandma Scam

DATE & TIME: 09-13-2022 / 2:00 pm

LOCATION: Rural Gage County

OFFENSE: Grandpa / Grandma Scam

CASE #: 2022-4855

A rural Gage County resident reported to the Gage County Sheriff’s Office that he received a phone call from a number with an Ashland, Nebraska prefix and the person on the other end of the line stated, “Grandpa?”.   The victim was aware of these type of scams and his grandchild is only eight-years-old, so he knew this was an attempted scam.  He told the caller that if he was going to tell him he was in trouble, he would just let him sit in jail until court.  He then hung up the phone. 

In most cases, the suspect calls a person and when they answer, the suspect says “Grandpa” or “Grandma”.  The suspect hopes the victim responds with the name of their grandchild and then the suspect goes into a woebegone story and ultimately asks for money and secrecy.  The suspects will come up with a variety of excuses and explanations and will have the victim send either cash, a wire transfer or provide “gift cards” of some type. 

If you receive this type of call or any other suspicious contact, do not provide any money, funds, or financial assistance.  Do not provide any personal or confidential information.  Contact a family member, trusted financial advisor such as a banker or accountant, or call law enforcement for assistance. 

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Sergeant T. Hanson #90310