Tag: Scam

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OPP Police Press Releases Wellington

$80,000 Romance Scam

(WELLINGTON COUNTY, ON) – The Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging the public to familiarize themselves with different online scams, particularly those related to romance.

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Wellington County OPP received a report of an online fraud from a resident of Guelph-Eramosa Township.

It was reported that between February and April 2025, the victim, who had developed an online relationship with an unidentified individual, was defrauded of more than $80,000. Throughout their interaction, the individual suspected to be the perpetrator, made multiple appeals for financial support, predominantly in the form of e-transfers and cryptocurrency, citing a fictious need for assistance.

A romance scam is a type of online fraud where individuals use fake identities and build romantic relationships with victims through online platforms, social media, or dating websites. The scammer typically creates a convincing profile, often using stolen photos and a fabricated backstory, to gain the trust of the victim. Once a connection is established, the scammer often exploits the victim’s emotions to manipulate them into sending money or providing personal information.

Common elements of a romance scam include:

·      Fake identities: Scammers create fake profiles, often using attractive photos and compelling personal stories to appear genuine.

·      Financial requests: Once trust is established, scammers often invent fictitious emergencies or situations that require financial assistance. They ask the victim to send money, gifts, or even provide banking details.

·      Reluctance to meet in person: Scammers often find excuses to avoid meeting in person, citing various reasons such as living in another country or facing trave restrictions.

If you do fall victim to a fraud or know someone who has, contact your local police service to report the crime, and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. The CAFC collects information on fraud and identity theft Canada wide. Contact the CAFC by phone at 1-888-495-8501 or online by way of the Fraud Reporting System (FRS), even if a financial loss did not occur.

For more information on scams and frauds, the public is encouraged to read The Little Black Book of Scams, which can be found online: https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/03074.html

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OPP Police Press Releases South Bruce Peninsula

Scammers Active In South Bruce

(SOUTHERN BRUCE COUNTY, ON) – The South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have received two additional reports of fraud involving cryptocurrency.

On March 5, 2025, a resident of Huron-Kinloss reported a loss of $4,000 by means of cryptocurrency after receiving a pop-up advertisement online. The resident was led to believe their computer had been subject to a virus. They were instructed to transfer cryptocurrency in order to rectify the issues. The whole interaction was fraudulent.

On March 6, 2025, a resident of Kincardine reported a loss of $11,000 by means of cryptocurrency after being involved in a fraudulent investment scheme. The resident sent funds to an overseas agency in hopes of building a cryptocurrency investment. They soon after learned it was a scam when they were not able to withdraw funds, and continually encouraged to send more money.

These incidents mark the 7th reported cryptocurrency related frauds in South Bruce OPP jurisdiction for 2025.

We urge residents to be cautious when engaging in digital currency transactions and investments. Scammers often use fraudulent documents marked with logos and wording that can appear legitimate, which leads the victim down a path of surrendering personal information and banking details under the belief they are conversing with a legitimate source. If you receive any documentation that appears suspicious to your situation, contact the company or financial institution in person or directly by a number you know to be theirs; not the phone number or email the document advises to do, as it could be fraudulent.

For more information on fraud, you can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre.ca

The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

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Alerts Huron-Kinloss OPP Police Press Releases

Victim Sends Scammer $215,000 In Crypto For Utility Bill #WTF

(HURON-KINLOSS, ON) – On March 2, 2025, the South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to an address in the Municipality of Huron-Kinloss, where an individual reported being victim of a fraud.

Investigation revealed that the victim had received a bill from a utilities company higher than their anticipated amount. Through conversation with a representative, the victim was led to believe that there was a processing error and was instructed to make cryptocurrency transactions to rectify the issues. The whole interaction was fraudulent, and the victim lost approximately $215,000.

The investigation has been passed over to the South Bruce OPP Crime Unit.

We urge residents to be cautious when engaging in digital currency transactions and investments. Scammers often use fraudulent documents marked with logos and wording that can appear legitimate, which leads the victim down a path of surrendering personal information and banking details under the belief they are conversing with a legitimate source. If you receive any documentation that appears suspicious to your situation, contact the company or financial institution in person or directly by a number you know to be theirs; not the phone number or email the document advises to do, as it could be fraudulent.

For more information on fraud, you can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre.ca

The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

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New Tecumseth OPP Police Press Releases

Do You Recognize This Fraud Suspects?

(NEW TECUMSETH, ON.) – Officers from the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are currently investigating a fraud and are requesting the public’s assistance to identify three individuals involved.

On January 5, 2025, between the hours of 2:00-3:00 p.m. Nottawasaga OPP responded to two fraud incidents at the CIBC bank located at 35 Young Street, in Alliston where the victim lost $1600 and the CIBC bank located at 55 Queen Street South in Tottenham, where the victim lost $3800.

Video surveillance shows that the victims appear to be completing their transactions at an ATM, going to leave the premises and are then called back by the suspect a which time, they tell he victim that their transaction hasn’t completed and therefore they can’t use the ATM. The suspect will attempt to demonstrate the problem to the victim by putting an unidentified card in the machine that then shows an error. The suspects then physically take the card out of the victim’s hand, puts it partially into the ATM, hits cancel and then hands them back what they think is their card but in reality is someone else’s, or possibly a fake card.

The genuine card is then used to withdraw funds from the victim’s bank account and, in the case of the occurrence in Tottenham, the card was also used to to purchase several prepaid credit cards at local retailers.

From surveillance video it also appears that the male subject removes one of the shields intended to help hide a PIN number, and then observes the PIN entry over the victim’s shoulder

Officers are looking to identify the individuals involved. See attached photographs from video surveillance. If you know these individuals, please call 1-888-310-1122 (reference number E250018227, E250018291). You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.crimestopperssdm.com.When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify.

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OPP Police Press Releases South Huron

Alleged Bitcoin Scam In Area

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a recent scam that took place in South Huron.

On December 28, 2024, Huron OPP received a report of a fraud that had taken place that same afternoon at a business in Exeter.

Police were advised that an employee at a retail business had been messaged on their cellular phone via text indicating it was their supervisor. The “supervisor” directed the employee to collect all cash on site and deposit it into a Bitcoin machine in the City of London. The employee was further advised to keep this transaction discreet. The employee proceeded to deposit $9,800 in cash into a Bitcoin machine in London.

The victim later contacted their supervisors directly to follow up and discovered that they had been scammed.

If you have been victimized by fraud, please call the OPP at 1-(888)-310-1122 and report it. You are not alone, and you will be supported through the reporting process.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre should also be contacted with any information you might have. Call 1-(888)-495-8501 or log on to antifraudcentre.ca

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OPP Perth Police Press Releases

Gold Scammer Operating In Area – Victim Out $320,000

(PERTH COUNTY, ON) – The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has received multiple reports of computer pop-up scams lately, and unfortunately a Perth County resident has lost a significant amount of money after they received a notification on their computer indicating there was a security breach of their personal information.

In November 2024, a Township of Perth East resident noticed a pop up on their computer, directing them to call a provided number due to a security breach. The person on the other end claimed to work for Microsoft, and remote access was granted to the victim’s computer. The victim was told that their finances had been compromised.

The victim was directed to withdraw cash from their financial institution, totaling $80,000, and to purchase over $240,000 worth of 100g gold bars from an online company. The gold was delivered to the victim’s house by a delivery company, and on five separate occasions over the next two weeks, unknown people attended the residence to pick up the cash and gold. 

The persons of interest are described as:

–      Asian males

–      Between 25-35 years of age

–      Short, dark hair

–      Described as short in stature

Vehicles of interest:

–      While Lexus sedan

–      Dark coloured small sedans (unknown make/model)

The investigation is ongoing.

The Perth County OPP encourages the public to stay alert and educated to reduce the risk of being a victim of fraud. If you receive an unsolicited phone call or message, asking for personal information (name, birthday, address, phone number, bank information, SIN number) or payment via gift cards for a product, do not provide the information and hang-up the phone and block the phone number. Legitimate organizations do not receive payments by gift cards of any type.

Warning signs to look out for when receiving unsolicited messages include: Emails, text-messages or phone calls sent at odd times of the night, creating a false sense of urgency, spelling errors, lack of punctuation or capitals in sentences, automated messages, random links or attachments, and generic business or company names.

Should you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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OPP Police Press Releases Quinte West

Fake Gold Scammers Arrested

(QUINTE WEST, ON) – The Quinte West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid charges following a complaint of two individuals selling fake gold jewellery.

On April 18, 2024, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Quinte West OPP received a complaint whereby the victim was defrauded of over $3700. The victim was approached by the accused, at a service station on the 401, selling gold jewellery. After spending $3735 on rings and chains, the victim advised they wished to purchase more, leaving the service station with the agreement the accused would follow them to a destination where the victim could retrieve more funds. Upon closer inspection of the purchased jewellery the victim contacted the OPP, whilst the accused were still following their vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Glen Miller Road, Quinte West, and as a result of the investigation two individuals were arrested, resulting in a further $3116 cash, 9.8oz of fake gold jewellery and five counterfeit Apple Air Pods being confiscated.

Sergiu OINESCU, 43 years old from Scarborough, has been charged with the following offences:

  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5000 – in Canada
  • Fraud under $5000

Ionela BOCEANU, 42 years old from Scarborough, has been charged with Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5000 – in Canada

Both accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville on May 16, 2024.

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Durham Regional Police Police Press Releases

Scammer Taxidermist Arrested After $500,000 Wasn’t Enough

A male has been arrested after fraudulently claiming the deceased exotic animals for his taxidermist business were no longer viable due to a faulty refrigeration system.

On Monday, September 11, 2023, investigators with the DRPS Financial Crimes Unit (FCU) were contacted by an insurance company regarding multiple claims filed by Artistry in Motion Taxidermy, that they believed to be fraudulent. The owner of the business purchased deceased exotic animals such as tigers, lions and monkeys, after they died of natural causes, for use as art pieces.

In May of 2022, the owner made a claim to the insurance company for a weather-related failure of his refrigeration system, which he claimed resulted in a financial loss of over $500,000 of animals.

In June of 2023, the owner made a second claim to the insurance company for another refrigeration system failure, which he claimed resulted in a financial loss of over $700,000 of animals.

Investigation into zoos, ranches, and safaris both in Canada and in Africa, named by the suspect, revealed that the suspect had fraudulently produced purchase invoices, created fictitious zoos and safaris, and inflated the value of the deceased animals.

Cyril DSOUZA, age 65 from Uxbridge is charged with: Fraud Over $5000 x2, and Utter Forged Document x2.

He was released on an Undertaking.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Tisi of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5729.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.

Categories
Norfolk OPP Police Press Releases

40 Grand In Crypto Scam

(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – A community member lost $40,000 after being deceived by a cryptocurrency investment scam.

At approximately 11:44 a.m. on Friday, March 29, 2024, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment investigated a fraud at an address in Norfolk County.

It was determined that the victim responded to an online advertisement on a website for an investment opportunity that promised significant returns on the funds initially invested.

Between January and March of 2024, the victim invested approximately $40,000. When they tried to access their funds, they were told they needed to pay more money to get their original investment back. Realizing this was a scam, the victim contacted the police.

Frauds and scams are attempted daily through online platforms, phone calls, letters, or faxes. Fraud is a multi-million-dollar enterprise that will only cease when the perpetrators stop profiting.

To avoid falling victim to similar investment scams, follow these key tips:

  • Research and verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities and the entities offering them.
  • Exercise caution when confronted with investments promising high returns with little risk. Overly optimistic claims may signal a potential scam.
  • Avoid sharing sensitive information with unfamiliar parties.

To learn more about fraud and cybercrime prevention and how to safeguard yourself, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

Categories
Police Press Releases Waterloo Regional Police

AI Elon Musk Scams $800,000 From One Victim #MoreMoneyThanBrains

Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police are continuing to investigate an online investment fraud resulting in over $800,000 in losses in Waterloo.

On March 12, 2024, police began an investigation after receiving a report of a victim defrauded in connection to an online investment scam.

The victim viewed a video promising high returns with a short turnaround time. The video utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to make it appear that the investment was endorsed by Elon Musk and encouraged viewers to contact a provided phone number.

After the victim registered by calling the phone number, he was contacted by a suspect claiming to be from an investment company. The suspect offered their services to assist and guide the victim through the investment process, and convinced the victim to download an app that provided the suspect with remote access to the victim’s computer.

Between January and March 2024, the suspect accessed the victim’s bank accounts and transferred over $800,000 that the victim was led to believe would be invested. When the victim requested to withdraw the money he believed the investment had earned, he was told that before receiving his money, he would have to pay fees and taxes totalling over $40,000.

In 2023, over $60,000,000 in financial losses were reported to the Waterloo Regional Police Service. A large portion of these losses were the result of investment fraud. Fraudsters will often use social media and AI to create fictitious online ads to lure people to invest. In some scams, fraudsters use AI to pretend that a prominent person is endorsing the investment.

Members of the public are advised to be cautious when it comes to scams such as this. #StopPauseThink and review the following safety tips to help prevent becoming a victim of online investment fraud:

  • Don’t engage in unsolicited investment opportunities seen online, and don’t provide personal information online to unknown persons or companies.
  • Be cautious of investments promising higher than expected rates of return. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Pitches often claim that investing involves no risk and surefire profits.
  • Don’t allow unknown programs to be downloaded onto your computer or unknown persons to access your computer.
  • Ensure you are investing with a legitimate investment company. Conduct internet searches for the company and/or make a follow-up phone call to the company, as some fraudsters will use the name of a legitimate company.

If you have been a victim of an investment scam and suffered a financial loss, please report the incident online at www.wrps.on.ca/onlinereporting or call our non-emergency number at 519-570-9777.

If you were contacted about this type of scam but did not experience a financial loss, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

For more about investment fraud and how to protect yourself, visit Investment (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca).

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