(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ON) - The Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are warning residents of a recently reported scam that occurred in the area.
In this scam, it was reported that the victim was contacted by an individual who posed as the CEO of BitCoin. The scammer informed the victim that they would make a return of 130%. The scammer encouraged the victim to allow them access to their banking information and credit card information. Once the scammer obtained this information, they were able to take more than $30,000 from the victim.
The OPP is urging community members to be vigilant when requested to send money or gift cards to anyone that you do not know. Fraudsters are constantly finding ways to put a new spin on an old scam. Typically, scammers use a phone or computer to communicate with you before a financial transaction occurs. This serves as a dual purpose; the fraudster typically attempts to gain the victim's trust, which then leads to gaining access to your banking information or having the victim send the fraudster financial compensation. This category of scams may also include offers such as job proposals, fake prizes and foreign money exchanges.
To learn about ways to protect yourself from scams and frauds, the OPP encourages community members to consult the Competition Bureau Canada, The Little Black Book of Scams, which can be found online https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/03074.html.
If you are the recipient of a fraudulent call, text or email, or if you've been a victim of a fraud, you are encouraged to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or visit http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.