TL;DR: On May 29, 2026, Hope RCMP in British Columbia warned that grandparent scams, also called emergency scams, have recently returned. Several recent cases involved callers who claimed a relative had been in a car accident and injured a pregnant woman. Callers asked for money picked up at the victim’s home or sent by courier. No arrests have been made.
What happened
The RCMP warning explains the usual pattern: the victim gets a call saying a grandchild or other loved one is in legal trouble and is pressured to pay a large sum, supposedly for bail. In the recent Hope cases the story centred on a car accident instead.
The release does not state specific dollar amounts, mentioning only a “large sum” of money. Investigations are ongoing.
Why it works
A close relative in danger overrides the pause that would let you check. A courier at the door makes cash handover feel like a legal process rather than a payment to a stranger.
Government and court-related agencies, including police, never phone to demand cash or other payment, according to the RCMP.
Background: our explainers on grandparent scams and how to protect elderly parents from phone scams. See also Maple Ridge RCMP Warn of “Card Pick-Up” Fraud at Your Door and Parkland RCMP: Fake “Bail” Call Sent Victim to a Crypto Machine. For wider numbers, see our data page on scam losses by age group.
What the RCMP advise
- Talk with family members, especially seniors, about these scams.
- If you are unsure whether a caller is a police officer, hang up and call your local police detachment directly.
- Remember that a demand for cash from police or a court agency is likely a scam.
- Report any scam to your local detachment; if no money was lost, you can also report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
If you have already sent money
Call your bank or card issuer at once and ask to stop or recall the payment, then report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) and your local police. Our guides on reporting to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadian bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam walk through the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the grandparent scam?
A caller says a grandchild or other loved one is in legal trouble and pressures the victim to pay a large sum, often for bail. In recent Hope cases, the story was a car accident.
How is the money collected?
Callers asked for cash to be picked up at the victim’s home or sent by courier.
Do police phone to demand payment?
No. The RCMP say government and court-related agencies, including police, will never phone to demand cash or other payment.
Were there arrests?
No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing, according to the May 29, 2026 release.
Sources
- RCMP Hope: Hope RCMP warn public of fraudsters targeting seniors with Grandparent Scam (May 29, 2026)
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Related Reading
- Maple Ridge RCMP Warn of “Card Pick-Up” Fraud at Your Door
- Parkland RCMP: Fake “Bail” Call Sent Victim to a Crypto Machine
- Fake “Veterans Savings Program” Postcard Scam: FTC Alert
- Canada Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Scam Losses by Age Group: US and Australia Data (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live