MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – It’s a scam well-known to law enforcement, however the tactics are changing and scammers are getting ruthless.
“You mention a granddaughter or grandson, you’re really striking a nerve,” said Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta.
The goal is to learn names and get family members to panic, hoping that in that chaos they’ll fork over some cash.
These crooks, however, are even orchestrating meet-ups in person with South Florida grandparents.
“Keeping a cool head is the most important thing because that helps you think,” said Zabaleta. “We have to educate our elders and tell them, ‘Don’t fall for that. If something like this occurs, call me.’”
Local 10 News first broke the scam wide open after 77-year old Lazaro Suarez was conned out of $8,000 in cash.
He received a frantic call from who he thought was his grandson, saying he was in trouble and needed help.
After the story broke, Local 10 News received a laundry list of messages of others with close calls, or financial losses altogether.
The Better Business Bureau, the Federal Communications Commission and the FBI are all alerting locals to this big, growing scam.
In just over a year, FBI Miami says 650 similar cases were reported, resulting in more than $13 million in losses. Ninety of those victims had the money picked up at their home.
Miami-Dade police continue to work at least two cases this month and are encouraging the public to come forward with information.
They are also encouraging families to talk openly about these scams and how to avoid them.
Police said these scammers will “do their homework” and research names and family ties, using a variety of platforms, including dating sites and social media.
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