March is Fraud Prevention Month, a key period for raising awareness of constantly evolving fraudulent schemes. And recently, a major police operation in Quebec has reminded us that no one is immune. We are talking about “grandparent” scams, where criminals pretend to be a relative in distress in order to extort money. (La Presse)
Major arrests in Greater Montreal
On March 4, 2025, 26 individuals were arrested following a large-scale police operation targeting a well-organized criminal network. Their scheme? Calling elderly people in the United States, pretending to be a grandson or granddaughter in danger and asking them for emergency money. These fraudsters often operate from abroad, exploiting the vulnerability of their victims.
Artificial intelligence (AI), the new tool of fraudsters
Artificial intelligence has revolutionized many sectors, but it has also become a formidable weapon for scammers. Here’s how it gets involved in the schemes:
- Voice spoofing: with voice deepfakes, criminals can recreate the voice of a loved one and make it convincing.
- Automated phishing: AI makes it possible to send highly personalized emails or text messages that appear to come from a trusted source.
- Credible fake documents: AI generates surprisingly realistic fake invoices or contracts, tricking the victims.
How can you avoid “grandparent” phone scams?
- Always verify the identity of the person you are speaking to: if someone calls you and asks you, “Do you know who I am?” do not answer immediately. Ask them to clearly identify themselves.
- Ask specific questions that only the real person could answer (place of birth, family mementos, etc.).
- If you have any doubts, ask for a number to call back later or say that you will check. If in doubt, hang up immediately.
- Be wary of urgent requests for money: fraudsters play on emotions and panic. Always take the time to check before acting.
- Verify the information: contact the person concerned or a member of your family directly, even if the person on the other end of the line begs you not to.
- Never transfer money under pressure, even if the situation seems urgent.
- Protect your personal information: never give out sensitive information by phone, email or text message, especially if you are not certain of the identity of the person you are speaking to.
- Set up a secret password with your friends and family: if someone close to you asks you for money, ask for the password. If the answer is wrong, hang up.
Stay alert, especially in March!
Fraud Prevention Month is the perfect opportunity to review our habits and protect ourselves against modern scams. AI continues to evolve, as do the techniques of fraudsters. Stay informed, talk to others about it and remember: if it’s too good (or too dramatic) to be true, it’s probably a scam!
💡 Thought for the day: “Caution is your best defense: if it seems fishy, hang up!”