On November 25, 2024, officers were dispatched to a residence on Regent Street regarding a Fraud Over $5,000. Information provided was that on November 19, 2024, a community member had received an alert on their phone advising to call the “RCMP” as a fraud had occurred with one of their bank accounts.

The community member called the number, was advised they owed $20,000 and that telling anyone about the fraud would jeopardize the investigation. The community member was instructed to withdraw $20,000 in cash, put it in a box and meet an “undercover officer” with the funds. On November 21, 2024, the community member met the individual and handed over the money.

A few days later, on November 25, 2024, the community member received another call from the same “RCMP officer” advising they owed another $10,000 and that the “undercover officer” would attend to collect the money later that day.

A family member had been contacted by the bank due to the large, suspicious withdrawals and that there was a concern the community member had been a victim of fraud. The family member attended the residence and contacted police. While at the residence, the community member received a call from the fraudster advising that the “undercover officer” would be attending to collect the money.

Members of Patrol Operations and the Integrated Crime Section arrived in the area. Around 6:20 p.m. the individual attended the residence and was arrested by Detectives.

The 21-year-old, man from Southern Ontario has been charged with the following offences under the Criminal Code of Canada and Highway Traffic Act (HTA);

  • Fraud Over $5,000 x2
  • Personating a Peace Officer
  • Drive with no Licence

The individual has been released on an appearance notice with a court date of January 29, 2025. His name cannot be released at this time as the information has not yet been sworn to through the court process.

We ask that community members take the time to have conversations with vulnerable loved ones regarding frauds and how to best protect themselves. As a reminder, law enforcement in Canada will never ask you to pay money for bail or to pay back funds if you are the victim of a fraud.

Please do not click on unknown links or pop-up ads and do not answer the phone when you do not recognize the number. If it is important, the individual will leave a message. If you have doubts or concerns about a call you received, hang up and call a loved one or someone you trust. Never feel pressured to part with your money.

For more information on recent frauds and scams or to report a fraud, visit https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

If you are the victim of a fraud (loss of funds), you can report it through our online reporting system, https://www.gsps.ca/en/reporting/fraud.aspx or by calling our non-emergency number 705-675-9171.

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