
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Essex County Detachment emphasizes the importance of vigilance in verifying information as officers continue to receive reports about the emergency scam targeting unsuspecting victims for thousands of dollars.
On, January 25, 2024, the OPP Tecumseh Detachment investigated a fraud at an address on 12th Concession in the Town of Tecumseh.
It was determined that the victim engaged in communication with someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer and requested funds to assist their family member who was reported to be in jail. As a result, the victim handed over money amounting to over $13,000.
A second victim contacted Tecumseh OPP on January 31, 2024, about a report of fraud on Wildberry Crescent, in the Town of Tecumseh.
Investigators believe the victim engaged in communication with the same individuals from the occurrence from January 25, 2024, this time resulting in a loss of $8,000.
During both investigations, it appears the same individual attended the residences to collect the funds. The individual has been captured on security camera.
Investigators are asking anyone who can identify the individual pictured in the attached photo, to contact Tecumseh OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Grandparents and parents are frequently the focus of these scammers. A typical scenario involves a grandparent or parent receiving a call or a message from an individual claiming to be their grandchild or child, explaining they are in urgent trouble and require immediate financial assistance. The fabricated incidents often include car accidents, legal issues resulting in incarceration, or difficulties returning from a foreign location.
To combat these scams, the OPP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre have developed a fraud prevention handout, urging community members to share it with others for increased awareness.
Staying educated is key in preventing fraud. Access “The Little Black Book of Scams” online at https://ised-isde.canada.
If you encounter a fraudulent call, text, or email, or if you’ve fallen victim to fraud, report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit https://www.