Resident Scammed Out $150,000 In Diamond Scam

(COLLINGWOOD, ON) Officers from the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wish to inform residents of two frauds which were reported recently in our area.

Officers were contacted recently after an area resident was defrauded of over $150,000. The victim had been in contact with a male via an online dating site, who advised that he was a diamond salesman. The male advised he required funds to purchase diamonds and then import them into Canada generating a profit on the purchase. The victim sent funds overseas for the purchases and later realized, when speaking to friends, that this was a fraud.

Officers were also contacted for another fraud where an area resident received a letter with a cheque for $18,000 advising that she had won $600,000 in a contest. In order to receive the remainder of the prize, she would have to send $10,000 cash to an address in British Columbia. The money was sent however the victim soon realized it was a scam and thankfully was able to have Canada Post intercept the envelope a few days later.

This serves as a reminder to never send money, or give personal credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust. A request to send money to a foreign country or to someone you have never personally met should be a red flag.

As well, you cannot win money or a prize in a lottery unless you have entered it yourself, or someone else has entered it on your behalf. You cannot be chosen as a random winner if you don’t have an entry.

If you or someone you know suspect they’ve been a victim of a scam such the above mentioned incidents, contact your local police service. You can also file a complaint through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or online at https://www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm

For more information on common scams, please visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca .

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