Mentor Police Warn About Scam That Preys On Elderly

Mentor Police are warning residents about a phone scam that targets the elderly called the "Grandson Scam."

On Wednesday, a man called a 71-year-old Mentor woman, claiming to be her grandson, according to the Mentor Police Department Facebook page.

The scammer said he was in jail in Mexico and needed money wired to him to get out of jail.

The victim wired then wired more than $3,000 to the scammer, believing she was helping her grandson.

The victim later learned that her grandson had never left the country.

Residents should beware of this scam.

The caller will ask that money be sent via Western Union or Moneygram to a foreign country.

Mentor Police recommended that people always verify with other family members that the person in question has actually traveled to another country before sending money.