OPP is investigating two separate cryptocurrency fraud cases where victims lost a combined total of $220,000.
On January 24th police responded to a fraud report. The victim had clicked on a pop-up ad on social media promoting a cryptocurrency investment opportunity. Believing it was legitimate, they started investing. However, when they were asked to deposit more money to unlock their funds, they became suspicious and contacted police.
A day earlier, on January 23th, officers were called to a similar case. In this instance, the victim joined what appeared to be a legitimate investment group on social media and began investing. Like the first case, the victim was later told to add more money to access their initial investment. Realizing something was wrong, they alerted authorities.
Both investigations are ongoing.
Police warn that fraud is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with scammers using advanced techniques to pressure victims into making quick financial decisions. They advise the public to verify any investment opportunity before providing money or personal information. If something feels suspicious, hang up the phone, delete the message, or avoid clicking on links.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To report anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, where you may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000. More information on fraud prevention is available through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at www.antifraudcentre.ca.
Written by: K. Milhomens
