Beware of a scam using the Ottawa Police main phone number and 9-1-1

https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=1fd80644-e20c-46a6-8bae-67eb2971570b

Posted On Wednesday September 25, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 25, 2019        3:15pm 

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Fraud Unit is advising the community of recent scams involving phone numbers similar to the Ottawa Police Service, including 9-1-1 and our main phone number, 613-236-1222.

In one case, a fraudster claimed to be a police officer with Service Canada and told the victim that their Social Insurance Number (SIN) had been used in a scam. Money was requested from the victim to assist with an investigation.

In a second case, the fraudster called a victim and said he was from the Canada Revenue Agency. During one of the calls, “9-1-1” actually appeared on the phone screen display. The fraudster claimed an outstanding tax balance that should be paid with Google Play Cards.

It should be noted that the actual Ottawa Police phone number (613-236-1222) will not show up on your call display when you are receiving a legitimate call from the Ottawa Police. 

Anyone who receives unsolicited calls or e-mails from someone requesting money or personal information should first verify directly with the agency in question, before responding.

For more information on this and other frauds, please follow @FraudOttawa or visit our website for more tips.  

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

Tow truck owner/operator charged in a fraud investigation

https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?page=2&newsId=36c33b30-3dd3-44da-8209-b197381e9d0e

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 19, 2019     10:07am 

(Ottawa)— On September 12^th, 2019 the Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit arrested and charged a tow truck owner/operator following a complaint of fraud allegations. 

Ibrahim MASRI, 33 years old, of Ottawa was charged with:

• False Pretence Over $5000 (2 counts)
• Theft of a motor vehicle
• Mischief Over $5000

A police investigation was commenced by the Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Unit in August 2019 in response to two separate complaints that an Ottawa based tow truck company had conducted business under the false pretence that they were CAA. 

Allegations: In both cases, the complainants later found out that CAA had no records of these calls and that they had likely been in touch with a different towing company.   In one case, the investigation revealed that the caller’s vehicle was taken without their consent and brought to an unknown location where impound fees eventually exceeded $5 000.  

On September 17^th, 2019 the Ottawa Police Service Fraud Unit executed a search warrant at the tow truck compound in the Leitrim/Albion Roads area. 

CAA was cooperative and assisted the police investigation. CAA had no involvement with this current fraud.  

The Ottawa Police Service asks anyone having experienced a similar incident to report it to the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300. 

MASRI is scheduled to appear in court on October 9, 2019.  

This investigation is ongoing.