Police say that con artists are targeting the elderly in Springfield Township by tricking them into wiring money.
According to investigators, the scam artists call senior citizens claiming that they’re law enforcement in another country. They then tell the victims that a loved one is in trouble with the law and needs money.
The fact that the scam artists know the names of the loved ones has caused many to fall for their scheme.
"They're thieves and they're feeding off of the love of these grandparents for their grandsons and sons," said the daughter of one of the victims.
The woman says that her mother was targeted by two men. One man claimed to be a police officer from Canada while the other claimed to be the victim's grandson. He told the victim that he had been arrested and needed bail money.
"They put a young man on the phone and he was crying hysterically on the phone pleading for her to send the money," said the daughter.
Police say the victim wired $3,135. Investigators claim that it was one of three cases in the last four days of phone scammers targeting elderly residents in the area.
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All the scam artists need is the tracking number in order to get the money.
Police believe that there are more victims out there who haven't come forward.
Anyone who receives or has received a call similar to the ones described should contact their local police department immediately.
