(WEST PARRY SOUND, ON) – The West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) receives complaints of phone and online scams on a regular basis. The scams have many different approaches; however the goals of the scammers are generally the same…to steal your money! Victims are pressured to send money in order to secure prize money, provide personal information, banking information, remote access to their computers or to make instant decisions about investments or purchases. This allows the scammer to commit theft by accessing bank accounts, investments, or fraudulently using credit cards.
On March 17, 2016 the West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were notified of a successful fraud as a result of a Facebook hacking prize scam. The victim was notified from a family member’s Facebook account that she had won $90,000 through the United Nations Lottery. The victim had to send $3400 in Canadian currency to an address in India to receive their prize. However, after receiving the money, the suspect requested an additional $1200 before the victim would receive the $90,000 prize. Suspecting that she was being scammed the victim notified police.
For more information about the many types of fraud and what to watch for, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by phone at 1-888-495-8501 or on the web at www.antifraudcentre.ca .
If you are unsure call your Bank, your local police, a friend or a relative. Rely on the people you can trust. If you suspect you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, contact your local police service or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at http://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/home .