Kamloops RCMP are asking for help in identifying a woman who is suspected of defrauding an elderly couple out of thousands of dollars earlier this month.

Police say they couple were contacted by a man who was claiming to be their son on June 11.

They note the man was crying and that he told the couple that he had been arrested and was in jail with his lawyer. Mounties say a person posing as the lawyer then spoke to the couple and told them to give bail money to a woman who would stop by the house.

“When the woman arrived, the victims handed over a large sum of money, thinking they were helping their son,” Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said. “Sadly, this was not the case; their son had never called them and was not incarcerated.”

Police say not long after, the couple got another call asking that more money be sent via e-transfer. That transaction never went through as police say the bank recognized that the couple were being scammed.

“Since then, police have acquired security video of the woman who collected the cash,” Evelyn said. “We are releasing a suspect photo to the public in the hopes that someone will have information, or more clearer images available of her, to help further the investigation.”

The woman is described as white with dark hair that was tied in a ponytail. She was dressed in a white sweatshirt, dark leggings, white sneakers, and a black cross-body bag.

People with information are being told to contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000 and reference file 2024-18096.

RCMP Tips to recognize a scam

Scammers can be very convincing, sometimes crying and referring to the phone recipient as grandma, grandpa, mom, or dad. Residents are encouraged to slow things down and take the time to ask questions to verify a person’s identity, seeking information that only the loved one would know specifically. Often, the information the scammer needs is provided through an internet website, a family genealogy site, or a social media page.

 Automatically be suspicious of:

• Anyone asking for money.
• Be extra suspicious if the money is requested through a wire (which is difficult to track and almost impossible to recover).

Always verify identities with other family members.

• Ask for their name rather than offer it.
• Ask for help from a member of your family or a trustworthy friend.
• Verify identities or whereabouts of the caller with other family members, even if the caller tells you not to.
• Don’t feel pressured to send money immediately.
• Don’t disclose personal financial information.
• Call the police.

Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.

If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or your local police detachment