Surrey man charged in 'grandparent scam;' West Van police warn of distraction thefts

Charges have been laid against a 21-year-old Surrey man for allegedly perpetrating a 'grandparent scam' targeting a Chilliwack senior. Photo by Sadi Maria /Getty Images

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A Surrey man has been charged with fraud for his alleged role in a “grandparent scam” targeting a Chilliwack senior.

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Chilliwack RCMP said an 88-year-old woman was scammed out of a “significant sum” after getting a phone call from a person she believed to be her grandson, who was asking for money for bail.

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The woman was told to hand over the cash in person. When she was asked to pay more, she became suspicious and reported the incident to police on Oct. 11, 2025.

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Police were able to identify a suspect and recovered a large amount of the money the senior gave the scammer. The funds have been returned to the victim.

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On May 29, 21-year-old Mandeep Singh of Surrey was charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. He was arrested and released on conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 9 in Chilliwack provincial court.

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“Police will never ask for money over the phone,” said Const. Hannah Sutton of the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment in a news release. “Individuals involved in this type of scam often create a sense of urgency and may tell victims they cannot speak to anyone else to prevent family members from intervening.”

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The grandparent scam is a recurring scheme where a caller claims to be a family member in crisis or legal trouble and asks for money. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, common scenarios include the caller claiming to need bail money because they’ve been arrested, or saying they’ve been involved in a car accident or need help coming home from a foreign country.

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In some cases, the fraudsters would claim to be law enforcement officials, lawyers or members of the court system.

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Meanwhile, in West Vancouver, police are warning residents about a distraction theft near the West Van seniors’ activity centre that resulted in the theft of more than $30,000 in valuables.

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The victim was waiting in a parking lot in the 600-block of 21st Street at around 11 a.m. on Monday when he was approached by a black car, possibly a BMW, with a man behind the wheel and woman in the rear passenger seat, said police.

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The driver gestured to shake the victim’s hand, then quickly stole the man’s phone out of his hand. The woman seated in the back then placed a fake gold bar, a ring and necklace in the man’s other hand as she slipped a watch off his wrist.

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The theft happened quickly, then the vehicle fled the parking lot.

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Suzanne Birch, spokeswoman for the West Van police, said distraction thefts like this are rare in West Vancouver but have become more prevalent in the Lower Mainland.

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“Maintain physical distance when approached by a stranger, and be extremely suspicious of unsolicited offers,” advised Birch.

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In these thefts, thieves use sleight of hand to steal valuables while getting physically close in the guise of asking for assistance, offering a hug or performing spiritual blessings.

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They often work in pairs and can overwhelm a victim with charm or instil anxiety and fear, police said. Seniors are disproportionately targeted.

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In this instance, the suspects are described as a non-Caucasian male in his 50s, with a medium build and black hair, and a woman, also in her 50s, with black hair.

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Anyone who has been the victim of a distraction theft is urged to call 911.

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