With March being Fraud Awareness Month which the Winnipeg Police Service wholeheartedly supports, this year the Serv ice is doing more besides providing helpful and informative stories (see ones below) to the Winnipeg Free Press Community Review.
As per the Winnipeg Police Service press release to get out in front of March Fraud Awareness Month, they unveiled a new campaign called Just Hang Up. It is akin to this financial blog’s Call to Action where the comment is made about not wanting to pick up the phone for fear someone is targeting you to take your money.
Its focus is on grandparent scams but certainly can be applied to other ones (e.g., investment) which are directed towards older adults.
JUST HANG UP – A city-wide campaign, bringing awareness and empowerment to older adults in our community.
Just Hang Up is a new anti-fraud campaign led by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) in partnership with A&O: Support Services for Older Adults (A&O).
The campaign is made possible by a $134,000 contribution from the Manitoba government’s Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund (CPF). “Older adults in Manitoba have been targeted and victimized through so-called grandparent and emergency scams, which are becoming more sophisticated and can cause significant financial losses and emotional harm,” said Wiebe.
Just Hang Up is aimed at protecting older adults from financial and emotionally devastating outcomes related to prevalent phone scams. Beginning in March; Fraud Prevention month, Just Hang Up highlights the importance of learning prevention strategies by sharing information with older adults and their families who may be targeted by these scams.
During an emergency grandparent scam, fraudsters call individuals after obtaining their phone numbers and sometimes other personal information. They impersonate family members or authority figures, saying there is an emergency involving a loved one. By creating a sense of urgency and panic, victims are pressured to send money. In some cases, artificial intelligence is used to sound convincing, and fraudsters may send a courier to collect the cash quickly.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Manitobans aged 60 and older reported losing nearly $350,000 to these scams in 2024. Frauds are typically under reported due to the emotional toll and stigma associated with being victimized.
Just Hang Up encourages people to stop fraud in its tracks; every early hang up can shut down a scam. The simple message to pause – hang up – verify and report, can help prevent further victimization and assist investigations.
This campaign has a designated JustHangUp.ca online information portal as well as city-wide advertising, including a public awareness video, radio, digital and print ads. In-person group presentations will be delivered by the WPS Community Relations Unit and our community partners, A&O.
“A & O: Support Services for Older Adults is proud to partner with the Winnipeg Police Service to deliver the “Just Hang Up” campaign. The agency remains committed to empowering older people with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe and age well in their communities”, says CEO Amanda Macrae.
In-person presentations create meaningful dialogue between community members, police and advocates for older adults. Over this six-month campaign, the goal is to engage more than 700 people during these sessions.
More information about fraud awareness and how to book a group presentation is available at JustHangUp.ca
Remember, you are in control, if a call feels suspicious, it’s likely a scam; just hang up – verify and report.
Grandparent scam targets Manitoba seniors
A troubling scam continues to target seniors across Canada – including right here in Manitoba. Often called the “grandparent scam” orthe “emergency scam,” it preys on the love and concern grandparents have for their families.
Typically, a senior will receive a phone call, often during the day, from an unfamiliar or blocked number. The caller claims to be a grandchild in urgent trouble. They may say they’ve been in a car accident, arrested, or facing some other emergency. Most times, another person comes on the line, pretending to be a police officer or lawyer to make the story sound more believable.
These callers create a strong sense of urgency. They may beg the grandparent to not tell anyone else in the family, claiming there’s a “gag order” or that they’re too embarrassed to let others know. The goal is to cause panic and prevent the victim from verifying the story.
Once the grandparent is emotionally involved, the scammer asks for money – often thousands of dollars – to help fix the problem. They may insist the funds are needed immediately for bail, legal fees, or fines. In some cases, scammers have even arranged taxi rides to take seniors to the bank if they no longer drive. After the cash is withdrawn, a courier is sent to the senior’s home to collect it. That courier could be part of the scam, another person who has been misled, or a delivery company unaware of the scam.
The financial impact has been significant. According to figures released by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Manitobans lost about $350,000 to grandparent scams in 2024. And those are just the cases that were reported.
The good news is there are clear steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones:
• If you don’t recognize the phone number, let the call go to voicemail;
• If someone pressures you to act immediately, just hang up;
• Call a trusted family member using a phone number you already have — not one provided by the caller.
Remember: police and attorneys will never ask you to provide cash to “bail out” a loved one over the phone. Legitimate bail processes go through the courts.
Most importantly, slow down. Scammers rely on fear and urgency. Taking a moment to pause and verify the story can prevent heartbreak and financial loss.
When in doubt, just hang up!
Learn how to recognize, prevent, and report scams at JustHangUp.ca
March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the Free Press Community Review is sharing stories from the Winnipeg Police Service on its annual campaign to help you recognize, report and reject fraud.
FRAUD AWARENESS MONTH
A key component of the grandparent scam is pressure to act by providing urgently needed money. If someone pressures you in this way, just hang up.
How criminals are using artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live and work — but it’s also changing how criminals commit fraud. While AI can help businesses detect suspicious activity, scammers are now using the same technology to make their schemes more convincing and harder to spot. For Winnipeg residents, understanding how AI is being used in fraud is the first step toward staying protected.
In the past, scam emails were often easy to recognize because of poor spelling and awkward grammar. Today, AI tools can generate polished, professional-looking messages in seconds. These emails may appear to come from banks, delivery services, or even local organizations. They often create urgency — claiming there’s a problem with your account or a missed package delivery. The goal is to get you to click a link or share personal information. Always verify by contacting the organization directly using the official phone number or website — not the link provided in the message.
One of the most alarming uses of AI is voice cloning. With just a short audio sample from social media or voicemail, scammers can create a realistic imitation of someone’s voice. In some cases, fraudsters call pretending to be a grandchild or family member in distress, urgently asking for money. The voice may sound frighteningly real. If you receive a distress call from a loved one asking for money, pause and verify. Call them back directly or contact another family member before taking action.
AI can also generate fake videos that make it appear as though someone is saying or doing something they never did. While this technology is still evolving, experts warn it may increasingly be used in business fraud or impersonation scams. These AI-generated videos are increasingly being used in romance scams and investment scams, sometimes featuring impersonations of celebrities or public figures.
AI allows criminals to send thousands of personalized scam messages quickly. Instead of generic greetings like “Dear customer,” emails may now include your name, address, or other publicly available information to seem legitimate. Just because a message includes personal details doesn’t mean it’s real.
Technology may be advancing, but so can our awareness. A healthy dose of skepticism — and a willingness to verify before acting — remains one of the strongest defenses against fraud.
Learn how to recognize, prevent, and report scams at JustHangUp.ca.
Or visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.
One of the most alarming uses of AI is voice cloning. With just a short audio sample, scammers can create a realistic imitation of someone’s voice.
Investment scams cost Manitobans millions
Investment scams are now the largest scam-type affecting Manitobans, with reported losses exceeding $3,000,000 in 2025. Behind that staggering number are friends, neighbours, and family members in communities across our province who believed they were making a sound financial decision. Instead, they found themselves victims of sophisticated fraud.
Fraudsters are increasingly targeting Manitobans with promises of high returns and low risk. These scams can take many forms: fake cryptocurrency platforms; fraudulent real estate developments; gold or precious metal schemes,;foreign exchange trading offers; or “exclusive” investment opportunities shared through social media. Some scammers even impersonate legitimate financial advisers or use professional-looking websites and documents to appear credible.
Seniors are being particularly targeted. Fraudsters know that many older adults have retirement savings, home equity, or nest eggs they’ve built over decades. They also know that seniors may be less familiar with newer investment trends such as cryptocurrency or online trading platforms. Scammers exploit this by offering to “help” manage investments or by creating a false sense of urgency, pressuring victims to act quickly before a supposed opportunity disappears.
Don’t be failed by smooth talkers dangling money in front of you, whether it’s on the phone or online. Always seek a second opinion before committing to any investment “opportunity”.
In many cases, the scam begins with an unsolicited phone call, email, or social media message. Sometimes it starts with an online ad. The fraudster may spend weeks or even months building trust, answering questions, and providing what appear to be regular account statements showing impressive returns. Victims are sometimes encouraged to invest a small amount first and may even be allowed to withdraw a bit of “profit” to build confidence. Once a larger sum is invested, however, the money disappears.
Rural and small-community residents are not immune. In fact, scammers often assume that people in close-knit communities may be more trusting. With more Manitobans managing their finances online, geographic distance is no longer a barrier and can easily be targeted by scammers operating overseas.
There are warning signs to watch for. Be cautious of guaranteed high returns with little or no risk – every legitimate investment carries some level of risk. Be wary of pressure to act quickly or keep the investment confidential. Always verify that the person offering the investment is properly registered. Take time to research the company independently, and do not rely solely on links or contact information provided by the person promoting the opportunity.
Families can play an important role in prevention. Open conversations about finances and scams can help protect seniors and other vulnerable individuals. Encourage loved ones to seek second opinions before they invest significant sums of money.
Investment scams are not just a big-city problem – they affect Manitobans in communities across the province. By staying informed, asking questions, and slowing down before making financial decisions, we can work together to protect our hard-earned savings and prevent more losses in our province.
Learn how to recognize, prevent, and report scams at JustHangUp.ca.
Or visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.
Winnipeg Police Service
Fraud Awareness Month
March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the Free Press Community Review is sharing stories from the Winnipeg Police Service on its annual campaign to help you recognize, report and reject fraud.
