(TOWNSHIP OF SOUTHGATE) – March is recognized as International Fraud Prevention Month.
Grey County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wish to raise public awareness of the various types of frauds/scams, and to encourage citizens to report a fraud/scams by contacting their local police service or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at www.crimestoppersgb.ca, if they or someone they know has been a victim of a fraud.
This public appeal comes after a Township of Southgate resident was duped out of $18,000 in a fraud known as the “Dating/Romance” scam.
The victim had met someone on line claiming to be born in England but living in Nigeria. The fraudster said he needed money to ship some containers from Florida to Newfoundland and requested that the victim send him money via Western Union and Canada Post. The victim had sent several money orders totalling $18,000. Her banking institution intervened when the victim attempted to move money from one account to another in order to send the fraudster more money. When the victim advised the fraudster that she didn’t have any more money, he boldly suggested she borrow some. The incident was reported to Grey County OPP on March 1, 2016.
“Dating/Romance” scams have a profound impact on victims, both emotionally and financially. Fraudsters have shown their willingness to invest time into forming false relationships with unsuspecting victims in order to gain their trust and steal their money.
Prevent being victimized by the “Dating/Romance” scam by following some simple tips:
Be suspicious of anyone who professes their love to you quickly over the internet.
Never, under any circumstances, send money for any reason.
Be careful of suspects working or living overseas, as this provides numerous reasons for them to ask for money.
To learn more about this and other scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre web site at www.antifraudcentre.ca.