How Lazaro Suarez Lost $8,000 to a Grandparent Scam

An older man looking concerned while talking on the phone

Lazaro Suarez heard a frightened voice that sounded like his grandson. The caller said there had been a crash. Then another person, pretending to be an attorney, said money was needed right away.

CBS Miami reported that Suarez, 77, withdrew $8,000 after the caller claimed his grandson had been in an accident involving a pregnant woman. A courier came to his home and picked up the cash. The real grandson, Ivan Suarez, later said the family wanted others to know how convincing the scam sounded.

This is the family-emergency or grandparent scam. The caller may say “it’s me” and wait for the victim to say a grandchild’s name. A second scammer may pretend to be a lawyer, police officer, or court worker. The goal is to keep the grandparent scared, rushed, and quiet.

The Michigan Attorney General and FTC both warn that the safest response is to hang up and verify through another family member or a phone number you already know.

5 Things You Can Learn From Lazaro Suarez’s Scam

1.

A Scared Voice Is Not Proof

The scammer counted on emotion to override checking.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Ask a question only the real person would know.
  • Hang up and call the family member directly.

2.

The Second Caller Adds Pressure

A fake attorney made the story feel official.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Do not trust a number or name supplied during the emergency call.
  • Verify with police, court, or family through a separate path.

3.

Secrecy Protects the Scammer

These calls often tell victims not to tell anyone.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Treat secrecy as a warning sign.
  • Call one trusted person before sending or handing over money.

4.

Cash Couriers Are a Danger Sign

Real courts do not send random couriers to collect bail cash.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Refuse cash pickups from strangers.
  • Call local police if someone is coming to collect money.

5.

A Family Code Word Helps

It gives everyone a calm way to verify during a fake emergency.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Pick a simple family safe word.
  • Practice using it before anyone needs it.

Final Takeaway: Love Is What They Target, Not Confusion

Lazaro Suarez was not confused. He heard what sounded like his grandson in trouble and did what a grandparent does. This scam works because love makes people act fast. The answer is not to care less. It is to hang up and verify through a number you already have, before any money moves.

Sources & References

Keep learning with Lumoset’s free course, Staying Connected – Level 3: Safer Family Communication and Scam Checks.

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Image credit: Muffet (CC BY 2.0).

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