Crimes against children, particularly sexual ones, strike at the heart of society due to the vulnerability of the victims. Children typically lack the physical and mental capacity to defend themselves against predators. Similarly, the elderly are increasingly victimized by criminals exploiting their diminished faculties, though the focus is on financial stability rather than physical harm.
Vulnerable to Scams
The case of Calgary woman Alana Love Duncan illustrates this trend. Duncan pleaded guilty in October 2023 to seven counts of fraud related to scams between July 21 and August 16, 2023, in which grandparents were duped into handing over cash or property worth $70,000. While it may seem incomprehensible that seniors can be so easily misled, aging often impairs judgment, making them easy targets for con artists posing as relatives or authorities claiming their kin are in legal trouble.
Duncan acted as a courier in a larger scheme, likely receiving little compensation. These couriers, or mules, play a crucial role by acting as the face of the offenders and shielding the masterminds. The following examples highlight the fraudulent scams Duncan was involved in:
- On July 21, 2023, a 94-year-old woman received a call from someone pretending to be her great-grandson, claiming he had been arrested and needed $8,000 for bail. The victim did not have cash but offered a collector's coin set valued at $22,212.74, with the excess to be returned. The caller agreed, and the woman left the collection on her doorstep, which Duncan collected. The victim realized she had been scammed only after contacting her great-grandson that night.
- Two days later, a 92-year-old woman was contacted by someone claiming to be the police, stating her grandson was in custody and needed $8,500 for bond. She made payments of $4,000 and $4,500 on consecutive days before Duncan showed up for another payment and was confronted by the victim.
- On August 3, 2023, an 89-year-old woman was scammed by a caller she believed was her grandson, who was crying and said he had been arrested. Her son then spoke to someone he thought was with the RCMP, who stated the grandson would be released upon payment of $8,400 for bail.
These cases underscore the need for increased awareness and protective measures for seniors, who are often targeted due to their trust and diminished capacity to detect fraud.
