SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Insight: Coronavirus Grandparent Scams
Scammers In India, Africa, And Asia Have Long Exploited The Love That Grandparents Have For Their Grandchildren, But Now They Are Turning That Into Money The Crisis Emergency Scams!
The typical Grandparent Scam involves someone calling, emailing, texting or messaging an elderly person claiming that they are a relative and are in an emergency. All they need is some of the victim’s money and it will all be fine!
Accidents, arrests, or travel emergencies are the typical storylines they try to use to scam grandparents.
It works because grandparents care deeply but are usually not connected with the grandchild on a daily basis – the impersonation does not have to be as perfect with a grandparent as it would have to be with a parent or sibling.
Now Scammers Are Using The Very Real Emergency That We Are All Facing All Around Us To Revisit This Scam:
“Grandma: I’m in the hospital, sick, please wire money right away.” “Grandpa: I’m stuck overseas, please send money.” Grandparent scams can take a new twist – and a new sense of urgency – in these days of Coronavirus. Here’s what to keep in mind.
In grandparent scams, scammers pose as panicked grandchildren in trouble, calling or sending messages urging the grandparent to wire money immediately.
They’ll say they need cash to help with an emergency – like paying a hospital bill or needing to leave a foreign country.
They pull at the grandparent’s heartstrings so they can trick them into sending money before they realize it’s a scam.
In these days of Coronavirus concerns, the scammer’s lies can be particularly compelling and profoundly traumatizing. But we all need to save our money for real family emergencies.
How Can We All Avoid Grandparent Scams Or Family Emergency Scams?
If someone calls or sends a message claiming to be a grandchild, other family member or friend desperate for money:
- Resist the urge to act immediately – no matter how dramatic the story is.
- Verify the caller’s identity – ask questions that a stranger couldn’t possibly answer.
- Call a family member for confirmation – call a phone number for your family member or friend that you know to be genuine.
- Check the story out with someone else in your family or circle of friends – even if you’ve been told to keep it a secret.
- Don’t send cash, gift cards, or money transfers – once the scammer gets the money, it’s gone!
For more information, read Family Emergency Scams.
And If You Get A Scam Call, Email, Or Message Report It To:
- SCARS www.Anyscam.com
- The FBI at www.IC3.gov
- And the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
TAGS: SCARS, Act Against Scams, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Scam Victims, Coronavirus Scams, COVID-19 Scams, Crisis Scams, Emergency Scams, Grandparent Scams, Phone Scams, Email Scams, Text Scams, Messaging Scams
SCARS™ Editorial Team
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
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FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
It is essential that law enforcement knows about scams & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.
Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:
- Local Police – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
- U.S. State Police (if you live in the U.S.) – they will take the matter more seriously and provide you with more help than local police
- Your National Police or FBI « www.IC3.gov »
- The SCARS|CDN™ Cybercriminal Data Network – Worldwide Reporting Network on « www.Anyscam.com »
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
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To learn more about SCARS visit « www.AgainstScams.org »
Please be sure to report all scammers
on « www.Anyscam.com »
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Table of Contents
- Scammers In India, Africa, And Asia Have Long Exploited The Love That Grandparents Have For Their Grandchildren, But Now They Are Turning That Into Money The Crisis Emergency Scams!
- How Can We All Avoid Grandparent Scams Or Family Emergency Scams?
- And If You Get A Scam Call, Email, Or Message Report It To:
- Yangyang Sweet / 阳阳 Sweet – Impersonation Victim – Used By Scammers – 2025
- Elicitation – A Scammer’s Manipulation Technique – 2025
- SCARS Institute’s New Survivor Community – www.SCARScommunity.org – 2025
- WARNING: AI-Enabled Browsers Pose a Cybersecurity Risk – 2025
- New United Nations UNODC Report on Corruption and Cybercrime – 2025
- SCARS Institute – 12 Years of Service to Scam Victims/Survivors – 2025/2026
Rapid Report Scammers
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
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If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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