Brought to you by Duped — the free newsletter exposing real scams so you don’t fall for them. Sign up free to stay protected.
It started with a phone call
In June 2020, as the pandemic kept families isolated, Susan Monahan, a tax preparer with an MBA, received a frantic call from a young man claiming to be her grandson.
“Grandma, I need your help… I was driving, a woman stopped in front of me—she’s pregnant—and I hit her. They’re going to take me to jail. Please don’t call Mom and Dad.”
The fear in his voice felt real. When she said, “Brandon, it doesn’t sound like you,” he replied, “I have a cold, Grandma.”
Moments later, another man joined the call—introducing himself as Brandon’s attorney. He spoke with confidence, using legal language and references to a specific judge to sound official. He said he could keep her grandson out of jail if she could come up with $9,000 for bail immediately.
He gave detailed instructions: she was to place the money in an envelope, write the judge’s name and address exactly as he dictated, and stay on the phone while she went to the bank. He warned that large cash withdrawals might raise questions and told her what to say if asked.
“Tell them it’s for home improvements,” he instructed.
Still convinced she was helping her grandson, Monahan withdrew the cash and drove home—still on the phone with the fake attorney. Minutes later, a courier arrived at her door, just as the caller had promised.
Only after the courier left did the adrenaline fade and the truth sink in: there had been no accident, no lawyer, and no grandson in trouble. She had been scammed.
Based on reporting from CBS’s 60 Minutes.
Lessons Learned
The goal of this newsletter is to expose the tactics scammers use—so when they try them on you, you’ll recognize the red flags before it’s too late. Susan’s story shows how sophisticated and believable these calls can be, even to smart, organized people.
Anyone can be targeted. Susan was an MBA and tax preparer—careful with money and detail-oriented. Scammers prey on emotion, not intelligence. No matter how smart or tech-savvy you are, anyone can be caught off guard in the moment.
Voices can be faked. If a loved one calls in distress, hang up and call them—or another family member—back using a number you already have. With AI today, don’t trust voices or even video. Both can be convincingly faked.
Secrecy is the #1 red flag. Lines like “Don’t tell Mom and Dad” or “There’s a gag order” are designed to keep you isolated and compliant.
No real court or attorney takes cash—or Bitcoin. Courts and jails use official, traceable bail procedures. They never send couriers to your home or ask for payment through a Bitcoin ATM.
Never lie to the bank. If someone tells you what to say to a teller, stop immediately. That’s a clear sign you’re being manipulated.
Always verify with a known number. Call your grandchild, their parents, or the court directly using publicly listed contact information—not numbers provided by the caller.
Slow it down. Urgency is a weapon. Take a breath, talk to someone you trust, and verify before taking any action.
Want to help others stay safe?
Protect your friends and family from becoming victims of this scam by sharing this story on Facebook. Click here to share.
Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe here for real scam stories and proven ways to protect yourself.