Anchorage police say a scam artist is targeting grandparents. In two cases, a caller identifying himself as a Canadian police sergeant told Alaskans that their grandsons had been arrested and needed money to be sent to a bail bondsman in England.

The scammer in both cases knew the names of the grandchildren.

A 75-year-old grandfather became suspicious about the request for $2,600, contacted his family and learned the grandson was in California.

An 82-year-old grandmother, however, agreed to send $4,700 to secure the release of her grandson, then received more calls saying her grandson needed additional money. She ended up losing more than $10,000.

Police say the scammer likely is operating out of a fourth country.