(WEST PARRY SOUND, ON) – On December 4, 2015, members of the West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were advised by a resident that they had been a victim of a $4800 fraud in Parry Sound.
In this instance the fraudsters represented themselves as security from a local bank and were asking for assistance in a criminal investigation. The fraudster asked the victim to go to their bank and withdraw $4800 in $100 dollar bills. Later, the victim received a call to meet the security person who would take possession of the $4800, give the victim a reward of $500.00 for her assistance and would return the original $4800 to the bank.
The victim met a 50 year old white male approximately five foot eleven inches tall with short dark hair. Neither her money nor her reward has been deposited into her bank account.
Police are looking for any information from the public in regards to the person(s) responsible for this fraud. OPP want to remind the public that Financial Institutions will not ask for public assistance in any criminal or internal investigation.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
If you discover that you have become a victim of a fraud or scam, contact your local police immediately. If your credit cards or banking information are involved, notify the companies as soon as you can so they may assist you.
For more information about the many types of fraud and what to watch out for, you can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8501 or on the web at www.antifraudcentre.ca.