Phone scammers offering fake English lessons swindle Syrian refugees in N.B.

SAINT JOHN, N.B. – A family of Syrian refugees in New Brunswick has lost about $400 after falling prey to a phone scam offering lessons to teach the English language.

Saint John Police Sgt. Lori Magee says the family was contacted Monday by someone seeking money and banking information in exchange for the lessons.

She says once the family’s interpreter learned of the scam, he called the bank and police, but the money had already been taken from an account.

Magee says police and other community stakeholders have organized a meeting next week to speak with Syrian refugee families in the area.

“It would be to advise them of what services are available in the community and how to access those services if need be, whether it be policing or the Department of Social Development,” Magee said.

She said they’ll also discuss phone scams and the seriousness of providing personal information over the phone.

Magee says it’s difficult to nab people conducting phone scams because it’s difficult to link all the information together.

“People may call from an untraceable phone. They may have a false account set up. There are a lot of obstacles to try to overcome,” she said.

— By Kevin Bissett in Fredericton