NEWS RELEASE GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
Residents are reminded to be cautious after a woman was scammed out of $5,000, believing she was sending the funds on behalf of her son.
On Monday, police were contacted by a woman in her 70s. She reported earlier this month she received a text she believed was from her son. The sender claimed he had been in a collision and required $2,980 to repair the other driver’s car. The victim sent an e-transfer to an email address provided in the text.
The next day she received another text requesting more money and sent another $2,021 before discovering her son had not sent the texts.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Daniel Dipaolo at 519-824-1212, ext. 7808, email ddipaolo@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
Residents are encouraged to be wary of any telephone call, email or text which 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.
