WOW . . . I am so sorry to hear that this is happening to your family.
The first scam you detailed out is called the Grandparent Scam.
http://scamvictimsunited.wordpress.com/ ... ent-scams/I do know that some people in Minnesota are working to have some laws passed to protect people from some of these scams. If it is passed in Minnesota the hope is that other states will follow. I know that it may not help you or your family recover any money, but I would encourage you to contact them and tell them your story. The more they hear about how these scams hurt real people, the better the chances are that they will fight harder to pass these laws.
Here are their names and links to their sites with their contact info
Representative Joe Hoppe
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/member ... p?id=10766Representative Joe Atkins
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/member ... p?id=10753Senator Chris Gerlach
http://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio ... istrict=37Senator Linda Scheid
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/membe ... g_id=10589Here is a link to the info on the bill if you would like to read it
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/page ... n=0&y=2011