Guelph Woman Loses $125,000 in Cryptocurrency Scam
A Guelph woman has fallen victim to a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam, losing around $125,000. The fraudsters, who have not been identified, exploited her trust through a social media advertisement. Guelph police have warned residents to be cautious of online investment opportunities.
The victim initially invested $350, believing the ad was legitimate. However, when she attempted to withdraw funds, she was asked to pay thousands of dollars in fees. The scammers then pressured her to invest a total of $90,000 (U.S.), falsely claiming involvement from Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, reachable at 1-888-495-8501 or online, urges anyone suspicious of online interactions to report them. Investigating such scams is challenging, and recovering losses is unlikely.
The Guelph woman's experience serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with online investments. Victims of cybercrime or fraud should report incidents to their local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. While recovering losses may be difficult, reporting the incident can help prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.
