GUELPH – Guelph Police is investigating after a local senior was defrauded of all her savings and life insurance.
On Wednesday, police say the woman in her 70s contacted police to report a scam that began nearly a year ago.
The woman explained that in March, she was using her computer when it began making strange noises and flashing. A message popped up to call a phone number, which she did.
The victim said she spoke to someone she believed was a representative of her bank, who said her accounts had been compromised and enlisted her help to supposedly catch the hackers.
“Through a series of calls the woman was instructed to withdraw all funds from her account and deposit the cash into cryptocurrency ATMs. She was also instructed to cash in her life insurance policies and on three occasions met males near her residence and handed over gold bars she had purchased at the direction of the supposed bank official,” police said in a news release.
Police say the victim was repeatedly told she would receive all the funds back once the bank had completed its investigation. After she didn’t hear anything for several months, she contacted the police.
The victim believes she lost approximately $800,000.
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.
