Members of the Peterborough County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are currently investigating two fraud occurrences involving significant amounts of money.
On July 31, 2020 at approximately 12:00pm officers attended a residence in Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township to investigate a fraud totalling $50,000.
The victim reported that the suspect contacted them and stated their credit card information had been stolen and numerous transactions had been made. The suspect informed the victim that their remaining assets cannot be accessed until the fraudulent transactions have been paid for. The victim made multiple payments using Google Play cards as requested by the suspect.
On July 31, 2020 at approximately 10:45am officers attended a residence in Asphodel-Norwood Township to investigate a fraud totalling $28,000.
The victim reported that they were contacted by someone posing as a Service Canada employee. The victim was informed that a warrant has been issued for their arrest due to fraud and money laundering complaints. The suspect informed the victim that they would be receiving a phone call from a local law enforcement officer. The victim was later contacted by someone posing as a police officer with the Campbellford OPP. The suspect informed the victim that they would be arrested if $28,000 wasn’t sent immediately. The victim proceeded to deposit the money in a bitcoin account as requested by the suspect.
All consumers can take some basic steps to better protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud:
- Never provide personal information or banking details over the telephone unless you initiated the call;
- Hang up immediately if there’s anything suspicious or unprofessional about the call – Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency(CRA) will never threaten you with immediate arrest, use abusive language or send police;
- Service Canada and the CRA will never request payment by Interac e-transfer, online currency such as bitcoin, pre-paid credit cards or pre-paid gift cards such as Google Play, iTunes, Home Depot, etc.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, of which OPP is a partner, estimates only five per cent of victims report the crime to police. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, contact the Canadian Anti‐Fraud Centre at 1‐888‐495‐8501 or report online at http://www.antifraudcentre.ca. You can also contact your local police service or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
To serve our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety.
Peterborough County OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).