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Estevan Police warn of $5,000 fraud and rising grandparent scams

Estevan police have concluded an investigation into a significant case of theft and fraud involving over $5,000, resulting in charges against a local man. He has been released and will appear in court at a later date. Deputy Chief Warren Morrical said the case involves an employee of a local service organization who “failed to forward monies that were collected for services that were provided by another organization,” and instead “pocketed the money and only made partial payment.” To combat such fraudulent activities, Morrical recommends businesses implement robust financial systems. “Best advice is to ensure a system is in place that includes invoicing and receipt requirements, minimizes the transfer of physical currency, actual cash transfers, and recommends instead checks or digital transfers,” he said. Morrical is also warning the community about a scam known as “grandparent fraud,” where individuals contact grandparents and pretend to be their grandchildren. The fraudsters often claim their grandchild is in custody and requires immediate financial assistance. “Grandparent fraud involves individuals contacting grandparents, purporting to be their grandchildren, and requesting money,” Morrical explained. He noted that some scammers may use voice-altering technology or AI to mimic the voice of the grandchild, making the scam more convincing. “It’s a fraud where a person misrepresents themselves, either by taking advantage of the grandparent or by using voice-altering or AI programming to sound like the grandchild and defraud the grandparents out of money,” he added. Both cases highlight the importance of vigilance and preventive measures in protecting vulnerable community members from financial exploitation. Local authorities urge anyone who encounters suspicious situations or receives unusual requests for money to report them immediately.