GUELPH – Residents are urged to be very cautious when offered supposed investment opportunities after a Guelph man lost $165,000 in a cryptocurrency scam.
On Monday, Guelph Police say the victim reported he opened a number of investment accounts with companies he found through Facebook advertisements, including one supposedly featuring Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“He deposited money into the accounts and was told his investment was climbing dramatically, but later experienced trouble when he tried to withdraw funds and was told additional fees would need to be paid,” police said in a news release.
The victim later lost another $3,000 after he was contacted by a company which claimed it could help him recoup his earlier losses.
Residents are encouraged to be wary of any online advertisement offering unusually high returns, which often feature fake celebrity “endorsements” created using AI.
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. (Occurrence number GU26046011)
