Gurnee grandfather wants to spread word of phone scam; Cops issue alert

Retired advertising agency executive Robert Andrus of Gurnee says he's willing to do anything to help his family.

But that desire to get his grandson out of a jam last week proved costly to the 82-year-old Andrus, who authorities say bit on a Canadian telephone scam. Gurnee police are investigating Andrus' case and have reacted by issuing an alert about what's dubbed the "Grandparent Scam."

Deputy Police Chief Kevin Woodside said the ruse plays on the victims' emotions. Andrus, who lost $4,200, agreed with the assessment and he said wants to prevent other grandparents from being duped.

"You'd do anything for your grandkids and your kids," said Andrus, who was a graphic designer and art director for major advertising agencies in New York and Chicago. "You may not be rational."

Police reports and Andrus provided the following account of what happened July 1:

Andrus received a phone call about 10:45 a.m. from someone who identfied himself as the man's 15-year-old grandson, Christopher, from suburban Cleveland. The voice on the phone sounded like the teenager.

Claiming he was in London, Ontario, the fake grandson told Andrus he needed $2,400 to be released from jail and pay fines for fishing without a license. Andrus was directed to send a MoneyGram from a Gurnee Wal-Mart.

Andrus brought $2,400 cash for the MoneyGram, which was collected on the other end in Canada. Andrus received a second phone call about 2 p.m. from the bogus grandson and an older man claiming he was an attorney and needed $1,800 for his services.

With another $1,800 in his wallet, Andrus bought a second MoneyGram at the Wal-Mart and sent it to Canada. He returned home and mulled what he had done.

"He went for a long walk," Woodside said of Andrus, "and thought about it and had a feeling something was not right."

Andrus said he later spoke to his daughter-in-law in Ohio, and casually inquired about his grandson. She told him they were sitting together at a baseball game.

Realizing he'd been duped, Andrus filed a report with Gurnee police. Woodside said investigators confirmed the MoneyGram transactions.

Andrus said he tried to string along the Canadian scammers when they called again July 2, but they became suspicious.

"Finally, I just said, 'I'm on to your scam,' " Andrus said he told the caller. He hasn't heard from them since.

Andrus said he's trying to figure out how the scammers knew his grandson's name and the family connection.

Gurnee police said an urgent request to wire money often is a sign of a scam. They said those who are older sometimes are victimized because of poor telephone connections, hearing impairment or other complications.

Andrus said he passed on calling his grandson's mother when contacted for the money because he didn't want to alarm her. Police said scammers frequently ask the victim to not call other family members.