NEWS RELEASE GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
Residents are reminded to be very cautious when dealing with unknown individuals after an international student was defrauded of nearly $200,000.
On Tuesday, a woman in her 20s attended the Guelph Police station to report the fraud. She had been contacted in April by someone claiming to represent the Canada Revenue Agency. The caller claimed the woman had been linked to a company in China’s Guangdong Province and owed taxes to the Chinese government.
She was transferred to another person claiming to represent Chinese police, then to a third who claimed he was a prosecutor investigating a money laundering case.
The victim was advised she would be deported back to China, but a bail order could be issued if she sent $142,000, which the victim sent via wire transfer to an account in Singapore. She was later contacted again and sent a further $51,000.
The victim was told the money would be held and then returned to her on July 14. When she did not receive it she realized it was a scam.
Residents should be very wary of any telephone call or other communication from anyone claiming to represent a government official or law enforcement, especially those requiring them to take immediate action such as providing personal information or sending payment.
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. Even if no financial loss has been sustained, interactions can still be reported to the CAFC.
