A fraud scam that occurred over nearly 5 years is being investigated by Perth County OPP.
Officers began investigating on October 17th after an individual reported being a victim of fraud that had occurred from 2017 into 2022. The victim was found to have agreed to acquire a trailer online from someone in the United States. During their lengthy correspondence, the victim sent additional funds to the scammer for "a variety of complications" during the transaction. The victim sent a total of $300,000 to the scammer. The investigation is continuing.
"Fraud is a multi-billion dollar per year business and modern, tech savvy, fraudsters will do their best to create confusion and chaos during interactions, leading victims to react impulsively and hand over their money. It is imperative to verify any unsolicited requests before you respond to provide personal information. If you feel pressured, hang up the phone or delete the sender's profile," read a statement from the OPP.
If you suspect you've been a victim of fraud, contact the OPP or call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre.ca