Granddaughter Walter Swanson
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Woman called elderly in-laws in Ohio around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2015, pretending to be their granddaughter. Said she had been out with friends, drinking, & wrecked; was in "detention." Needed them to help - needed $4,500. Then her "attorney," "Walter Swanson" got on phone with specific instructions: purchase $4,500 in Giant Eagle gift cards & call him back and read numbers off back of card. Good people at Giant Eagle stopped the scam by convincing in-laws to call # given & ask if $ could be wired via Western Union instead. Answer was NO then person on line hung up on my in-laws.
"Grandparent Scam" plays on the natural love of a grandparent for their grandchildren. Then there was the element of surprise, urgency and secrecy - it almost worked.
Caller type: Scammer
Caller: Granddaughter Walter Swanson
Number: 403-689-8131
Follow-up: Scammers wanted in-laws to purchase VISA CARDS & suggested Giant Eagle as a place to purchase them. Once cards are purchased, the purchaser scratches off the covering over the PIN number on back and reads the numbers to the scammers - then the scammer can transfer the money - all done electronically - they don't need the actual gift cards to be mailed to them.
Caller: Granddaughter Walter Swanson
Number: 403-689-8131
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