GUELPH/ERAMOSA – A Rockwood senior is the latest victim of a money-demanding scam.
According to Wellington County OPP, the person was experiencing computer issues when they turned to an online chatbot for help.
The computer was controlled remotely, and the person told they would need to provide a photocopied cheque to have a virus removed.
Police say the person was contacted days later and told their personal information was leaked online, and $20,000 would be needed to remove it.
“The victim complied by meeting at a local parking lot and providing the requested funds to another unknown suspect. The victim was contacted again and asked for additional money, to which the victim provided $4,500 worth of gift cards over the phone,” police said.
Police were contacted July 28 after a family member of the victim became suspicious.
Resources
A Little Black Book of Scams detailing different scams and how to handle them can be found online by clicking or tapping here.
Warning signs to look out for when receiving unsolicited messages include:
• e mails, text-messages or phone calls sent at odd times of the night;
• creating a false sense of urgency;
• spelling errors, lack of punctuation or capitals in sentences;
• automated messages, random links or attachments; and
• generic business or company names.
If you are the recipient of a fraudulent call, text, or email, or if you have been a victim of a fraud, you can report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or visiting the Anti-Fruad Centre website.
