Main fundraiser photo

Mom Victim of Car Accident Scam

Donation protected
My mom is a victim of an extremely professional scam. On Friday morning, she received a phone call from a "lawyer" who told her that my brother had been in a car accident. He said not to worry, my brother was ok, he just got a bloody nose. However, because he was texting and driving and rear ended another vehicle, he had been arrested and was being charged w criminal negligence. As well, he said the police had confiscated my brother's phone, wallet and car and that they were going before a judge shortly so he would call back and keep her informed as to what was happening. Because he told my mom that my brother's phone etc had been confiscated, she unfortunately never thought to try calling him to verify this story. Shortly after, the "lawyer" called back and said that the judge agreed to drop the criminal negligence charges if my brother paid $4,000 which would be donated by the courts to a charity. This sounded a bit fishy to my mom so she got the lawyer to let her speak to my"brother" on the phone. They had someone impersonate him and talk to my mom who sounded identical to my brother!!!   So, believing it was him, my mom agreed to pay the $4,000 if it'd get him out. They also said the car he hit was a rental car and had international delegates in the vehicle so because of who was in it, that this had a gag order on it by the courts and she wasnt allowed to discuss it w others. They advised my mom to go get a card from the store and load the $4,000 on it and they would call back to get the card # and pin # listed on the back which they could then withdraw the funds from. My mom went ahead and did it as after speaking to my "brother" she had no doubts that this was real and my brother desperately needed her help. A while later, they called back and said that the charges had been dropped, but he was still being held as there was a fine he had to pay for $3,000 for the texting and driving. My mom agreed to pay it and got another card and did so. Then they called AGAIN and said that now the delegates were going to sue my brother for $30,000 for injuries etc.!! The lawyer suggested that he could try and negotiate it down to settle out of court and would get back to my mom.  A little while later they called back and said that they had made a deal w the delegates not to sue as long as she paid $5,000 to them, as well as $2,500 that was outstanding in court costs and legal fees. They said once this final amount was paid, my brother wb released and all wb settled. My mom at this point had maxed her credit cards from the $7,000 she had just paid, so she had to call her bank and get an increase on her credit limit. She then paid the $7,500 and my brother was supposedly released.  All these additional transactions happened over the weekend w her still believing my brother was being held in custody. The next morning (Monday), she received a call from the lawyer asking her how everything was going. They seemed like they were just being kind and following up to ensure all was well.  They  confirmed at this point my brother had finally been released and all was settled. My mom (thinking my brother had just gotten out and got his phone back) called my brother to make sure he was ok.  It was at this point she found out my brother had never been in an accident (he was at work when she called) and the whole thing was a scam.  My mom has since filed a police report but the phone number is untraceable and since the funds were paid w a prepaid credit card, its pretty much impossible to track. My mom is an incredibly sweet and wonderful mom who would do anything for her kids even if she cant afford it! She is on a small disability salary and could not afford to pay the $14,500 she was scammed out of. These people were unbelievably good at what they did. They had a receptionist, a lawyer, a mediator and someone who sounded just like my brother on the phone and they somehow knew all kinds of info about both of them. I am hoping that by setting up this account that we all can help my mom recoup some of the money she was scammed out of, as well as raise awareness about this scam. I hope that these terrible people will be caught, but as per the police, chances r slim. So PLEASE help me help the kindest and most caring mom I know by donating whatever u can. Even if 1,000 people donate a dollar each, it still adds up! Any donation of any amount is greatly appreciated! As well, please share this story w everyone u know. I'd hate for this to happen again to someone else,
 - especially at Christmas time - and these u-know-whats need to be caught!!! Thanks to all for taking the time to read and share this and thanks in advance if u r making a donation! I hope everyone has a safe, scam free and merry Christmas!

Organizer

Laura Froese
Organizer
Calgary, AB

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.