OPP News

OPP Asks Us All To Talk About Fraud

OPP Media Release: Nov. 30, 2020

(ESSEX COUNTY, ON) – In September 2020 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were made aware of an incident where a resident from the Town of Essex had been contacted through social media and directed to purchase “Google Play” cards. This took place over a period of several months until the victim was directed to send $48,000. The victims’ family became aware and police started an investigation.

Essex County Major Crime Unit continues to investigate in attempt to identify the suspect(s) responsible but investigators have been able to secure the $48,000 and return it to the victim in this case. This is a great success but there is still a significant amount of money outstanding.

On November 24, 2020 police were made aware of another victim from the Town of Lakeshore who was contacted via phone by an unknown suspect claiming to be from Revenue Canada alleging a compromised Social Insurance Number. The victim was directed to take out money out of her account and covert it to Bitcoin to send to the caller. She attended three different banks and withdrew $12,000 in total. The suspect pretended to be a member of a police service and alleged involvement of an additional litigation officer.

The OPP are encouraging businesses, retirement home and long term care facilities, financial institutions, social services and family members to have an open conversation about fraud and the fact that seniors are often targeted.

Essex County OPP would like to offer the following tips to prevent fraud:

  • Keep your personal information confidential and safe, and do not give any information out over the phone, internet or through e-mail.
  • Don’t be pressured or bullied by someone on the phone into providing personal information.
  • Protect your PIN (Personal Identification Number) and passwords.
  • Beware of unusual transactions and “too good to be true” offers.

For more information and tips on how to prevent fraud, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.

FRAUD…Recognize it…Report it…Stop it.

Anyone with information regarding this or any other incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Photo by Mike Gosselin

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*