MONTREAL — Eric Sauvageau, a 60-year-old resident of Montreal, is still reeling from a brazen impersonation scam that cost him just under $19,000 only a few weeks ago. The father of two thought he was helping his son Sam out of a dire legal jam when he received a distressing phone call from a private number. What followed was a three-hour ordeal involving multiple calls, bank visits, and cash handovers to strangers, all orchestrated by scammers who mimicked voices with eerie accuracy.
According to Sauvageau, the initial call came from someone pretending to be his son, sounding frantic and explaining that he was at the courthouse after being involved in an accident. "I get a call from a private number, from my fake son saying I’m in the courthouse, I was in an accident and I sound a little funny cause I broke my nose, but it totally sounded like Sam’s voice," Sauvageau recounted in an interview with Global News. The voice was so convincing that Sauvageau didn't hesitate, his parental instincts kicking in amid the panic.
Over the course of those tense hours, Sauvageau fielded additional calls from the impostor son and another individual posing as a lawyer. The scammers pressured him to withdraw cash quickly to cover supposed bail or legal fees, warning that any delay could lead to arrest. Rushing to his bank twice, Sauvageau pulled out nearly $19,000 in total. Later, two separate couriers showed up at his home to collect the money, sealing the deception.
It wasn't until after the second courier had left that doubt crept in. Sauvageau decided to call his son's workplace, only to learn that Sam had been there the entire time, completely unaware of any accident or courthouse drama. The realization hit like a ton of bricks. "It’s devastating," Sauvageau said. "You feel stupid. You feel like an idiot. I know the scam — I know the grandfather scam, I’m aware of it. They just play on your emotions, really."
The Sauvageaus, father and son, have since reported the incident to their local Montreal police station. In a statement provided to Global News, a spokesperson for the Montreal police declined to comment on the specifics of this case but acknowledged that impersonation scams targeting families are a growing concern. They noted that some victims have reported hearing voices that closely resemble those of loved ones, raising questions about the technology involved.
While speculation has swirled around the possible use of artificial intelligence to clone voices, authorities emphasized that confirming such methods is challenging. "While some suspect AI, authorities say that’s hard to confirm, but they are monitoring the situation," the police spokesperson stated. This case echoes a broader trend in cyber-enabled fraud, where scammers leverage readily available voice-altering software to exploit trust and urgency.
Impersonation scams, often dubbed "grandparent scams" when targeting seniors, have plagued North America for years, but recent advancements in audio manipulation have made them more sophisticated. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, such schemes resulted in over $30 million in losses across Canada in 2023 alone, with Quebec reporting a significant uptick. Victims are typically elderly individuals like Sauvageau, whose emotional bonds make them vulnerable to high-pressure tactics.
Sam Sauvageau, reflecting on the shock of discovering his father's predicament, described the emotional toll. "It was shocking to say the least," he said. "You never think it’s gonna be you, your dad, grandpa, grandma. You just hear about those stories — you don’t think it’s gonna be my parents or my grandparents." The younger Sauvageau has been proactive in the aftermath, launching a GoFundMe fundraiser to help his father recoup some losses and avoid selling off parts of his prized music collection, which Eric has curated over decades.
Eric Sauvageau expressed willingness to part with some of his extensive vinyl and CD collection — a passion project spanning years — if needed to offset the financial blow. However, both father and son stressed that their primary motivation for going public is prevention, not pity. By sharing their story, they hope to alert others to the dangers lurking behind seemingly familiar voices on the phone.
Montreal police offered practical advice in their statement to combat these scams. Key recommendations include always calling the supposed victim directly using a known number, rather than the one provided by the caller; never withdrawing money or handing it over under duress, especially to strangers at your door; and contacting law enforcement immediately if something feels off. "When in doubt, contact the police immediately," the spokesperson advised.
This incident isn't isolated. Similar reports have surfaced across Quebec and beyond, with scammers adapting their scripts to include details that heighten credibility, such as referencing personal information gleaned from social media. In one comparable case last year in Toronto, a grandmother lost $15,000 after a call mimicking her grandson's voice claimed he was arrested abroad. Authorities there, like in Montreal, urged vigilance without confirming tech specifics.
Experts in cybersecurity, speaking generally on the rise of voice deepfakes, point to accessible apps that can replicate speech from just a few minutes of audio samples, often harvested online. While not directly tied to the Sauvageau case, these tools underscore why police are monitoring AI's role in fraud. The Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. has issued similar warnings, reporting a 20% increase in impersonation complaints in 2024.
For the Sauvageau family, the road to recovery is just beginning. The fundraiser has garnered support from friends and the local community, but the emotional scars linger. Eric Sauvageau, once wary of such scams through news stories, now embodies the human cost. His story serves as a stark reminder in an era where technology blurs the line between real and fabricated pleas for help.
As investigations continue, Montreal police encourage anyone who suspects they've been targeted to come forward, promising to treat each report seriously. Broader efforts, including public awareness campaigns by groups like the Better Business Bureau, aim to educate on red flags: unsolicited calls demanding immediate action, reluctance to verify via alternative channels, and the absence of in-person confirmation.
In the end, the Sauvageaus' ordeal highlights a timeless vulnerability amplified by modern means. While no amount of caution can eliminate risk entirely, their shared experience underscores the power of skepticism and direct verification. For families everywhere, it's a call to listen not just to what is said, but to question how and why it's being said.