(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment is urging everyone to familiarize themselves with various scams including the friendship scam.
On Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at approximately 12:40 p.m., police were contacted by a concerned member of the public reporting that they established an on-line relationship over the internet after meeting an individual on Facebook in July of 2014. While corresponding, several emails were exchanged developing a friendship.
Between July of 2014 and August of 2016, the male requested funds on various occasions after claiming that several emergencies had occurred. Approximately $240,000 dollars was forwarded over the course of two-years and police are urging all on-line users to beware of this scam.
Single or recently unattached people – often females – are among the growing number of vulnerable population to be victimized by criminals through fraudulent means. Usually this occurs through contact online via e-mail blasts, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc…) or singles and dating-related ‘meet’ websites. Among the more prevalent schemes are money transfers via Romance or Dating Scams. In some cases, prolonged interaction with individuals has cost some victims tens/hundreds of thousands of dollars before the relationship ends – usually after the culprit gets what they want without ever meeting in person. Among the most vulnerable are seniors.
In 2015, the Romance Scam generated 298 complaints and claimed 216 victims in Ontario who lost $7.9 million.
Knowledge is power. All consumers – regardless of age and gender – can take basic steps to better protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud, such as never giving out personal information over the phone, the internet or through social media/dating websites.
Always get independent advice – from family members, a trusted friend or advisor — if any offers involve money, personal information, time or commitment.
Tips to Avoid Being a Victim of a Romance / Dating Scam
• Check website addresses carefully. Scammers often set up fake websites with very similar addresses to legitimate dating websites. Make sure you only use legitimate and reputable dating websites.
• Never send money, or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust. A request to send money to a foreign country (using Western Union or MoneyGram) to this person you have never personally met should be a red flag.
• Don’t give out any personal information in an email or when you are chatting online. Like any scam, use your computer to your advantage. Educate yourself. Check the person’s name, the company name the addresses used, and ask yourself, “Would this be normal?”
• Ask yourself – “Would someone I have never met really declare their love for me after only a few letters or emails?”
For more information on fraud, call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre.ca.
FRAUD – RECOGNIZE IT….REPORT IT….STOP IT….