Warning: Increase in emergency “Grandparent” fraud reports: Be aware!
Warning: Increase in emergency “Grandparent” fraud reports: Be aware!
2025-12-05
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Your phone rings. It’s an urgent call saying your loved one is involved in a criminal incident. Your loved one needs help – and help can come in the form of a cash deposit to a lawyer or other person.
Only the high-stress situation you’ve been called about is not real – it’s a fraud. This type of fraud is often referred to as an “emergency scam,” “grandparent scam” or other variations.
Increase in “grandparent scam” reports and charges laid by Regina Police Service
Both the Regina Police Service and White Butte RCMP recently received multiple reports of “emergency” or “grandparent” scams or frauds.
In these most recent cases reported to police, the caller describes the false emergency to the victim and makes arrangements for someone to pick up cash from the victim. The caller tells the victim that they are under a “gag order” and there will be punishment if they go to police or tell anyone about the exchange of money. At this time, there are five confirmed victims in Regina and one in the White Butte area. In total, these victims report being defrauded in excess of $40,000 dollars.
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, as part of an ongoing province-wide investigation, RPS investigators arrested and charged two suspects, an adult male and an adult female. At this time, approximately $20,000 of the stolen money has been recovered.
Fifty-year-old Ciprian TEODOR and 40-year-old Alexandra CONDURACHE of Quebec are jointly charged with:
• 2 x Fraud Over $5,000 [CC 380(1)(A)];
• 1 x Fraud Under $5,000[CC
• 2 x Attempt Fraud Over $5,000 [CC 380 (1)(A)].
Court Information #991323646
TEODOR is also charged with:
• Fail to Comply With Conditions of Undertaking [CC 245(4)(A)].
Court Information #991323648
TEODOR and CONDURACHE made their first appearance on the charges in Regina Provincial Court Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.
This investigation is ongoing. Police believe there are more victims. If you believe you are a victim of this scam, please contact police at 306-777-6500 within the City of Regina and 310-RCMP (7261) outside of the city. The community is asked to remain vigilant as officers work to hold all involved offenders accountable.
“Often the victims of these types of frauds are seniors, but anyone can fall victim,” shares Staff Sergeant Shortland of RCMP South District. “High-pressure tactics are used to form urgent situations and often involve emotional manipulation. Educate yourself and speak with your loved ones about fraud awareness and empower them with tactics to use if they receive a suspicious call. RCMP investigators will continue working with partner police services – because these types of files cross borders and impact the public at large.”
What to do
• Trust your gut! Ask yourself: could this be a scam? Are the details ‘off’ or circumstances strange?
• Do not offer any money or personal information until you confirm story details with your family first. Hang up and call your family at a number you know is theirs to verify information.
• Requests for payment in gift cards, a wire transfer, cryptocurrency or some other payment can indicate suspicious activity. Never provide your credit card number to the caller. Speak to your bank in person before making large withdrawals.
When to call police: if you believe you are a victim of this type of fraud, report it to your local police.
More tips and information is available here: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/protect-protegez-eng.htm
More information
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has information about how you can protect yourself from scams and fraud, features and variations of fraud, and more online: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm