Elgin OPP are investigating a fraud report after being contacted last week by a Central Elgin resident.
The victim reported losing more than $150,000 in an investment scam over a period of two months beginning in July.
They had been contacted by an individual they had met on social media.
The victim made a series of investments but when attempting to withdraw funds, they were only given access to a limited amount.
The victim then contacted another agency claiming to investigate, but money was required for fees and taxes.
After paying the requested amount, the victim discovered this too was a fraud.
How to protect yourself?
- DO NOT give out your personal information (name, address, DOB, SIN, banking credentials).
- DO NOT accept friend requests from people you do not know.
- DO NOT invest your money in platforms provided by people you do not know.
- Be careful who you share images with. Suspects will often use explicit pictures to extort victims into sending more money.
- Protect your online accounts.
- Get more than one quote for home repair work and never feel pressured.
- Never send money to someone you have not met.
- DO NOT respond to text messages from phone numbers you do not recognize.
- Learn more tips and tricks for protecting yourself.
If you fall victim to a fraud or know someone who has, contact your local police service to report the crime and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501 or online on the Fraud Reporting System (FRS), even if a monetary loss did not occur.
Elgin OPP would also like to remind the public of an upcoming FIGHTFraud information session will take place on Tuesday October 17 at 7 p.m., at the Vienna Lions Community Centre located at 26 Fulton St, Vienna.
