A new wave of scams has hit parts of Ontario, with suspects pretending to be members of the OPP and convincing victims to hand over thousands through cryptocurrency or cash. Suspects posing as police have prompted the Ontario Provincial Police to send out a warning to residents across Northeastern Ontario about the emerging scam trend, in which perpetrators use names and ranks of officers to defraud victims of significant amounts of money. A release from the OPP states that recent incidents in other parts of Ontario have involved fraudsters contacting victims by phone and falsely claiming to be members of the OPP.
In each case, the suspects used fabricated names, ranks, and badge numbers to appear legitimate. Victims were instructed to withdraw large sums of money and either transfer the funds through cryptocurrency platforms or hand over cash directly, reads the release. These deceptive tactics have resulted in substantial financial losses, including cases where victims paid between $6,000 and $13,000 to individuals falsely representing themselves as police officers. The OPP confirms that the names and ranks provided by the scammers do not correspond with any actual OPP members.
Fraudsters often rely on urgency, intimidation, and fear to pressure victims into complying with their demands. Although this scam has not been reported in the North East Region, similar incidents have occurred in other areas of Ontario, and residents are encouraged to remain alert and cautious. The OPP also offers advice to help residents protect themselves, including the following fraud prevention strategies: Police will never request money, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or financial transfers over the phone.
Police will never demand immediate payment, threaten arrest, or pressure you to act urgently. Do not provide personal information, banking details, PINs, or identification numbers to unsolicited callers. If you are unsure, pause and discuss with a trusted family member or friend before acting, and you can contact the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122 to verify whether an officer contacted you or report a fraud attempt. Residents who have been targeted or victimized by fraud are urged to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
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