The Brant County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging the public to be cautious and vigilant following a reported case of a romance scam that resulted in a significant financial loss for the victim.
The victim reported meeting an individual online in April 2024 through a popular dating application. After a few weeks of conversation, the individual gained the victim’s trust and convinced them to switch communication to a different platform, where they introduced the idea of investing in cryptocurrency. The victim, trusting the individual, made several transfers into a cryptocurrency account but has been unable to retrieve any of the funds.
The scammer used multiple tactics to maintain the victim’s trust, including changing phone numbers, deactivating and reactivating social media profiles under different names, and requesting the victim to set up new accounts and emails. When the victim attempted to withdraw their money, they were repeatedly asked to pay various fees with strict deadlines, which ultimately led to more financial loss totaling $34,500.
After realizing that the scammer had used stolen photos from an influencer’s social media account, the victim contacted the Brant OPP to report the fraud.
The OPP is reminding everyone to be cautious when engaging in online relationships, especially when asked to make financial investments or share personal information. Here are some tips to protect yourself from romance scams:
- Be wary of anyone who asks you to switch communication platforms or requests financial assistance.
- Do not share personal information or financial details with someone you have not met in person.
- Conduct thorough research on the individual, including checking for inconsistencies in their stories and verifying their social media profiles.
Report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.
If you suspect that you or someone you know has been a victim of a romance scam, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Stay vigilant and help us protect our community from fraud.
