Wellington OPP are warning citizens to be on alert after receiving a fraud complaint from an 83-year-old woman in Fergus on May 20.
She received a call from a man posing as her son claiming he was in jail and had been involved in a motor vehicle collision. The man stated he needed money to pay the other person involved in the collision and requested it be sent through Western Union. She spoke with her husband and they became suspicious. Money was not sent and the OPP was contacted.
While a police officer was at the home, another call was made by the fraudster. When police attempted to speak with the person they hung up the phone.
Police received several similar complaints and continue to investigate. Police caution that scammers count on a victim’s desire to act quickly to help loved ones in an emergency.
They also advise people not to send money to anyone they don’t know and to verify the person’s identity before taking any steps to help. Don’t give out any personal information to the caller, police suggest, and ask questions only your loved one would be able to answer. Call the child’s parents or friends to verify the story.
Police ask anyone who feels they have been scammed to report the matter immediately to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or www.antifraudcentre.ca and to the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
