GUELPH – Residents are again reminded to be cautious when dealing with unknown individuals after a Guelph senior lost more than $300,000 to a scam that continued for a year.
In a news release, Guelph Police say the woman in her 80s reported she was contacted in late 2024 by someone claiming they were investigating her for identity theft.
“She began receiving calls from someone claiming to represent the Attorney General of Canada, reporting that these calls continued several times a week,” police said.
Eventually, the caller began providing instructions on how to deposit funds at Bitcoin ATM machines, claiming these were part of the fraud investigation and would be returned once the woman was cleared.
Police say throughout much of this year the woman attended ATMs across the city and deposited funds, often thousands of dollars at a time.
“When she eventually told her family what was happening, they advised her to contact the police. The victim acknowledged to police she should have reported it sooner, but was embarrassed that it had gone on so long,” police said.
Residents are encouraged to be wary of any telephone call, email, or text that requires you to take immediate action. It is always best to independently contact the supposed sender and confirm the legitimacy of the correspondence before taking action.
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.
