SCAM ALERT: Oakville Resident Targeted in Lottery Scam
Published December 13, 2017 at 1:45 am
An Oakville resident has been targeted in a lottery scam, say Halton police, and they’re warning the public to be wary.
An Oakville resident has been targeted in a lottery scam, say Halton police, and they’re warning the public to be wary.
There are two victims “that we’re aware of, but I’m confident there’s probably more,” said Det. Mark Underwood.
The other victim is in Durham Region.
“A random phone call led them to believe they were winning a large sum of money,” said Underwood.
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One victim is a senior, the other isn’t, Underwood confirmed.
Police call it a type of ‘advanced fee’ scam — that’s when a victim is instructed to send money in order to claim a substantially larger sum of money and the funds sent are often alleged to pay taxes or administration fees before the larger sum can be released.
The money is usually requested to be sent in some form of electronic payment, but in this case the victims were requested to courier cash payments to an undisclosed location in Burlington.
The combined amount of money recovered is $40,000 Canadian.
Investigators intercepted packages – containing a large amount of cash – heading to Burlington.
The fraud unit is looking to identify the victims and return the money.
Police are reminding the public not to send cash or electronic transfers of money to anyone who has solicited these funds under promise of a bigger return of money.
“Don’t pay the money,” regardless of whether it’s via an e-transfer, wire transfer, or cash, said Underwood.
“Just don’t do it.”
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre helps the public identify many common scams and provides tips on how to avoid them.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the fraud unit at 905-825-4777.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers, “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
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