Online scammers dupe Kingsville couple out of $200K
In this news:
Key takeaways
- A Kingsville couple lost over $200,000 in an online investment scam.
- The victims responded to an ad on a communications app promising high crypto returns.
- Police urge residents not to invest money in platforms provided by strangers.
A Kingsville couple has been scammed out of more than $200,000 after responding to an online investment ad.
The couple contacted the Essex County OPP Sept. 19, when their suspicions were raised by a request for more money.
Online investment scam details
The pair originally responded in July to an online ad they saw on a “popular communications application.”
Police would not name the app but told the Star, “When it comes to apps, these scams are on all the social platforms . . . and sometimes are sent via messaging (email, text, messaging platforms).”
Police said the couple believed their money was being invested in Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.
The couple was promised a high return on their investments but became suspicious when the online suspect demanded more money.
By mid-September, the pair suspected they had been scammed and contacted police.
Police investigation and warnings
Officials said the case is being investigated by the OPP crime unit.
These types of scams can sometimes be perpetrated by locals but if the scammers are in foreign countries, investigations become far more complex, police said.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, fraud reports totalled a staggering $351 million in losses. It is estimated that only five to 10 per cent of victims report scams and frauds to the centre or to law enforcement.
Police provided the following tips to help protect against scammers:
- Don’t give out personal information (name, address, date of birth, social insurance number or banking credentials).
- Don’t accept friend requests from people you do not know.
- Don’t invest money in platforms provided by people you don’t know.
- Be careful who you share images with. Supects will often use explicit pictures to extort victims into sending more money.
- Protect online accounts.
- Get more than one quote for home repair work and never feel pressured.
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met.
- Don’t respond to text messages from phone numbers you do not recognize.
If you fall victim to a fraud or know someone who has, contact your local police service to report the crime and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online on the Fraud Reporting System (FRS).
Share the article:
Trending News & Crypto World
.png)
Latest Crypto News
Top Trending Cryptocurrencies on The Market
Current Price
$0.3293
Market Cap
$31.3B -0.11%
24h Volume
$363.8M
Supplies
95.0B / ∞
Current Price
$1,155.18
Market Cap
$19.7B -8.13%
24h Volume
$1.3B
Supplies
17.0M / 21.0M
Current Price
$75.558
Market Cap
$16.8B -4.11%
24h Volume
$663.3M
Supplies
955.3M / 1.0B
Current Price
$0.07626
Market Cap
$11.9B -5.46%
24h Volume
$589.2M
Supplies
156.3B / ∞
Current Price
$603.87
Market Cap
$11.4B -0.82%
24h Volume
$100.4M
Supplies
18.8M / ∞
Current Price
$1.000
Market Cap
$10.2B 0.01%
24h Volume
$133.7M
Supplies
10.2B / ∞
Current Price
$77.045
Market Cap
$9.2B -3.12%
24h Volume
$100.0M
Supplies
293.4M / 400.0M
Current Price
$11.433
Market Cap
$8.8B -5.59%
24h Volume
$243.4M
Supplies
1.0B / 1.0B
Current Price
$9.038
Market Cap
$8.3B 0.16%
24h Volume
$143.1K
Supplies
985.2M / ∞
Current Price
$0.2042
Market Cap
$7.7B -6.12%
24h Volume
$283.4M
Supplies
45.0B / 45.0B
Current Price
$0.1690
Market Cap
$5.9B -4.54%
24h Volume
$116.5M
Supplies
50.0B / ∞
Current Price
$0.008191
Market Cap
$5.8B -5.93%
24h Volume
$12.4M
Supplies
1.1T / 1.2T