How do you exploit the deep love grandparents have for their grandchildren for financial gain? In a heart-wrenching deception known as a "grandparent scam," impostors pose as grandchildren and other characters to trick seniors into handing over large sums of money. Federal authorities recently uncovered a criminal network that preyed on the elderly across the United States, swindling more than 2 million dollars from over 70 victims. Key figures in this elaborate scheme, Timothy Ingram and Anajah Gifford, manipulated seniors by leveraging their fear and familial love in a ruthless bid for wealth.

In this notorious case, the emotional and financial impact on victims was significant, including the story of J.D., an elderly woman from Oceanside, California. She lost over $100,000 in May 2020 after receiving a distressing call from someone impersonating her granddaughter, urgently requesting bail money for a car accident. The scammers, skilled in emotional manipulation, posed as attorneys, couriers, and more, creating a facade of legitimacy. They enforced secrecy through fabricated legal constraints like gag orders, further isolating their victims and complicating their plight.

This is a gripping tale of deception that unravels how these fraudsters exploit the trust and love inherent in families. We’ll learn how federal agents finally brought down this cruel network. In these heart-wrenching financial schemes where every phone call could be a trap, we’ll share how to protect you and your family from becoming the next victims of these devastating frauds.

About the Show

Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk. 

In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.  

Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing. 

From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way. 

About Early Warning

Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.  

Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/ 

What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at nickelandcrime@earlywarning.com