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A Calgary woman who helped steal tens of thousands of dollars from elderly victims in a chilling “grandparent scam” may avoid prison time altogether—after lawyers urged a judge to let her serve her sentence under house arrest, despite the emotional toll on victims in their 90s and mounting concerns over accountability in a “sophisticated and predatory” fraud scheme.

Alana Love Duncan, 48, pleaded guilty in October to seven counts of fraud over $5,000 tied to a four-week crime spree in the summer of 2023 that targeted vulnerable seniors across Calgary.

At Friday’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors described Duncan’s role as the “in-person courier” who collected stolen cash after victims were manipulated over the phone into believing their loved ones were in immediate legal trouble.

In total, Duncan and her partners-in-crime stole $70,000 from seven elderly victims.

How the grandparent scam worked

Court documents and an agreed statement of facts revealed a calculated and emotionally manipulative scheme designed to isolate and pressure victims into handing over large sums of money.

Court of King’s Bench Justice Michele Hollins heard that each victim received a phone call from someone impersonating either a police officer or a distressed family member, most often a grandson.

In every case, the victims were told a loved one had been arrested and urgently needed bail money.

They were also instructed to keep the situation secret—a tactic prosecutor Don Couturier said deliberately cut victims off from family members who might have exposed the fraud.

Under pressure and confusion, the victims went to their banks and withdrew cash, typically between $6,500 and $10,000.

Duncan would then arrive to collect the money in person.

In one especially striking case, a 94-year-old woman did not have the $8,000 she was told was needed for her great-grandson’s bail. Instead, she handed over her coin collection, valued at $22,000.

On July 21, 2023, Duncan went to the woman’s home and took the coins directly.

Joint submission for house arrest

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, both Crown and defence lawyers are asking the court to approve a joint submission that would allow Duncan to serve her sentence in the community.

That proposal would impose a conditional sentence order, including one year of house arrest followed by a year under curfew.

Duncan, who has struggled with addiction issues, has also agreed to pay $18,000 in restitution, which prosecutors say “reflects her proportional involvement in the scheme.”

“She’s focused on trying to right this wrong,” said defence lawyer Mary Stephensen, who read an apology letter from Duncan in court. In it, Duncan expressed “sincere remorse” and said she “deeply regrets the harm” she caused.

While joint submissions are often accepted by judges, Justice Hollins signaled hesitation, citing concerns about whether the proposed sentence fully meets the legal principle of denunciation—the court’s duty to clearly condemn serious criminal conduct.

A final decision is expected Monday, leaving both victims and the accused in limbo as the court weighs punishment against rehabilitation in a case that has exposed the emotional devastation of elder-targeted fraud.