Members of the Peterborough County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) want to warn community members of a recent Scam in our area.
Although not all calls reported as Frauds/Scams actually are, OPP are still seeing various Frauds/Scams in the area, and this is one that you should be aware of.
Recently, members of the community have reported being flagged down by motorists either at the side of the road or at gas stations by individuals appearing to be in distress. The motorist approached their vehicle and advised that they were from out of country and upon arrival to the area, lost their wallet. The motorist, who is wearing lots of jewelry then attempts to sell a piece of their jewelry so that they have enough money to complete their journey to their destination.
A recent occurrence east of Peterborough resulted in a victim purchasing two pieces of jewelry for $500 thinking they had made a great deal only to find out that the items were fake.
If you find yourself in a similar position, kindly decline the offer, remove yourself from the situation, and contact police. Provide a description of the vehicle and the motorist as well as a licence plate if possible. Frauds/Scams like this are transient in nature so contacting police when it occurs is important in assisting us to deal with these individuals.
Remember, if the offer seems too good to be true, chances are it is and it’s someone trying to Scam you out of your money.
If you have a group wanting more information on how to protect themselves against Frauds/Scams, contact your local police agency and see if a presentation can be arranged.
For more information on other common scams in Canada, check out the Competition Bureau Canada’s The Little Black Book of Scams: https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/04333.html
For additional information on ongoing scams in Canada and to report fraud, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or
https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact police.
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).