(BRIGHTON, ON) On October 29, 2013 Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a fraud complaint from a male Brighton resident who had received a reply from an online ad regarding the sale of a laptop computer.
The male victim had a laptop computer for sale on the classified ad website “KiJiJi†for $650.00. He had received a reply email from an address in Lagos, Nigeria on October 22, 2013 seeking the purchase of the laptop.
The Nigerian email requested a tracking number prior to the funds being released. The victim forwarded the number and was then further advised by the purchaser to add $650.00 to the account which would be later returned to him via Western Union and trusting the seller with the transaction. The laptop and the funds were forwarded by Canada Post on October 24 but the package could not be stopped or the funds recovered. The victim has lost both his computer and money.
The victim followed up with Pay Pal Fraud Department and was advised that there was never any transaction completed or registration with them. The OPP are continuing to investigate.
OPP would like to remind residents that if you should NEVER have to PAY for something you are selling. Anyone requesting funds upfront, either by email or telephone, for a transaction should also be a flag to the recipient. Ask questions, protect yourself and your hard earned money.
For more information on the types of frauds and how to protect yourself, please go online to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre.ca