In Hawai‘i, family is everything. Our kūpuna (grandparents) are the pillars of wisdom and tradition, deeply respected and loved. Unfortunately, scammers know this—and they exploit it. A rising form of fraud known as the “grandparent scam” preys on that deep emotional bond.
If you’re a grandparent, the instinct to help your moʻopuna (grandchildren) can be immediate and powerful. Scammers count on it. That’s why we’re raising awareness to keep our kūpuna informed and empowered.
This scam begins with a call, email, or message from someone pretending to be your grandchild. The message is urgent, emotional, and designed to make you panic:
In many cases, the scammer will start with a vague line like “Grandma, it’s me,” hoping you’ll say the grandchild’s name aloud, which they’ll then use to carry out the lie.
Scammers use fear and urgency to pressure quick action. They often:
With the evolution of AI technology, scammers can now even mimic voices and video appearances. A convincing voice on the phone doesn’t guarantee it’s your family member.
🚩 The caller says, “It’s me,” and waits for you to guess their name
🚩 They pressure you to act immediately—without time to think
🚩 They insist on secrecy
🚩 They ask for money in untraceable ways like gift cards or wire transfers
No one should feel ashamed for being targeted. Scammers are professionals who exploit love, trust, and technology. But together, we can fight back with education, awareness, and ohana (family support).
Encourage open conversations with the kūpuna in your life. Share this information with your church, hālau, community center, or senior group.
Let’s stand up for our grandparents—and make Hawai‘i a harder place for scammers to succeed.
