Man Sentenced For Role In Scheme That Tricked Grandparents Into Sending Thousands Of Dollars
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A Nigerian man living in Canada will now be spending 45 months in a U.S. prison for what is called a "grandson" scheme.
Authorities say Anthony Ojo, sentenced here, stole over $600,000 from over 120 victims, some from this area.
Federal prosecutor L. C. Wright says victims got panicked calls from people posing as a grandson or daughter of the victim, urgently asking for money to be wired to them.
"And they would say grandma or grandpa I am in terrible trouble in Canada. I have been arrested for driving under the influence, I need money for legal fees, I need money to make bail, I need money for some sort of administrative costs to get me out of jail and I need it and I don't want you to tell anyone, don't tell mom and dad, this is embarrassing," Wright explains.
He says victims may have been targeted based on information from social media; and he says for people getting such calls, any demand for secrecy is a red flag and he recommends calling the grandchild to confirm or call their parents to check the story before sending money.
