(KIRKLAND LAKE, ON.) – Members of the Kirkland Lake Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating a romance fraud incident. The complaint was received from a Kirkland Lake resident by police on January 23, 2014. Over the last year, three incidents of the romance scam have been reported to the Kirkland Lake Detachment. The victims have been defrauded of approximately $68,000.
The romance scam involves the victim and fraudster meeting through a social networking site. The fraudster will gain the trust of the victim through displays of affection. In this scam the fraudsters have demonstrated that they are willing to develop the relationship over extended periods of time. While the fraudster is usually located in a foreign country, eventually they want to meet the victim in person. It is at this time the fraudster will advise they can’t afford to travel and will seek assistance from the victim in covering travel cost. Other variations include the fraudster presenting situations of emergency/urgency, such as a sick family member, being incarcerated and seeking financial assistance from the victim for various costs.