OPP officials allege: Provincial police are warning Essex County residents about an ongoing fraud involving scammers posing as officials from the Crown Attorney’s Office.
The Ontario Provincial Police said victims may receive phone calls from individuals claiming to represent the Crown Attorney’s Office, with call display appearing legitimate. Scammers may also use the names of real prosecutors or claim to be working with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Police say the callers often claim the victim is involved in an identity theft case and must urgently verify their identity or protect their funds. Victims may be instructed to make payments using so-called “government-approved ATMs,” often Bitcoin machines, or to deposit cash into a drop box. In some cases, individuals are sent QR codes or documents that appear to be on official letterhead.
Authorities stress that members of the Crown Attorney’s Office and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre will never contact individuals and direct them to make payments, withdraw cash, use Bitcoin machines, scan QR codes or deposit money into drop boxes.
Police warn that once money is deposited into Bitcoin machines, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to recover.
Residents are urged to be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts or emails, and not to trust caller ID alone, as numbers can be spoofed. Officials also advise against using phone numbers, websites, links or QR codes provided by unknown callers, and recommend verifying information independently through trusted sources.
Anyone who believes they have been contacted or victimized is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or call 911 in an emergency. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at catchcrooks.com, where tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
