A Calgary woman accused of being the face of an elaborate grandparent scam that defrauded seven seniors of $70,000 is pushing for a conditional sentence — allowing her to serve time at home rather than in prison.
Alana Love Duncan, 48, pleaded guilty in October to seven counts of fraud over $5,000 for her involvement in the scheme, which operated over a concentrated four-week period in summer 2023. At a sentencing hearing Friday, the court heard details of how Duncan served as the "in-person courier" — the face of the operation who showed up at victims' homes to collect cash and valuables.
How the Scam Unfolded
Prosecutors painted a picture of a "sophisticated and predatory" operation targeting some of Calgary's most vulnerable residents. Each victim received a phone call from someone posing as either a police officer or a family member — typically a grandson — claiming the loved one had been arrested and needed bail money urgently.
The callers also instructed victims to keep quiet about the situation, deliberately isolating them from family members who might have recognized the fraud.
Desperate and frightened, the victims withdrew between $6,500 and $10,000 from their banks. In one devastating case, a 94-year-old woman who didn't have the $8,000 demanded for her great-grandson's bail offered her coin collection — worth $22,000 — instead. Duncan showed up at her home on July 21, 2023, and took the coins.
Defence Argues for Compassion
Duncan's legal team is asking Justice Michele Hollins to accept a joint submission for a conditional sentence order — meaning Duncan would serve her sentence at home. The proposal includes one year of house arrest followed by a year under curfew restrictions.
Defence lawyer Mary Stephensen told the court that Duncan, who has struggled with addiction issues, has expressed "sincere remorse" for her actions and is committed to making amends. Duncan has agreed to pay $18,000 in restitution, reflecting what prosecutors describe as her "proportional involvement" in the broader scam.
"She's focused on trying to right this wrong," Stephensen said, reading an apology letter on behalf of her client who said she "deeply regrets the harm" she caused.
Larger Network Remains at Large
While Duncan faces sentencing, police have not charged the other individuals involved in orchestrating the scam — the voice on the phone posing as family or law enforcement, and whoever else coordinated the operation. Duncan's role as the in-person courier made her the most visible and easiest to apprehend.
The case highlights an ongoing threat facing seniors across Canada, with grandparent scams remaining one of the most effective fraud tactics used by criminals who exploit family bonds and fear to extract money from vulnerable victims.
This story is based on reporting from CBC Calgary.