The Sunnieholme Drive resident told police she received a call Tuesday from a man who said he was her grandson. He told her he needed money after being arrested in Canada after drinking and crashing his car. ...

The Phonebusters Web site, part of the Canadian Anti-fraud Call Centre, reports that there has been a significant increase in complaints filed with the center about the "grandparent scam."
—Genevieve Reilly, "Alleged 'Grammy' scammer swindles Fairfield woman," Connecticut Post, January 15, 2009

This is a particularly vile scam aimed at senior citizens, perhaps the most vulnerable scam victims. An elderly person is targeted by the scammer who calls and says something like, "It's me, grandpa." The elderly person will respond, thinking it's one of their grandchildren.

The scammer then tells a tale of woe, saying they are in trouble and need some money, "and please don't tell mom." The grandparent obligingly sends a few hundred dollars, thinking they're helping a grandchild.
—Mark Huffman, "Top 10 Scams of 2006," ConsumerAffairs.com, December 11, 2006