https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/seeking-suspects-in-250-000-bank-investigator-scam.aspx

Seeking suspects in $250,000 ‘Bank Investigator’ scam

Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2025

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 17, 2025  9:45 a.m.

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is continuing to investigate a series of sophisticated frauds involving suspects posing as bank fraud investigators. To date, the scam has defrauded victims of approximately $400,000.

Investigators are seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects believed to be responsible for multiple incidents connected to this scam, amounting to $250,000 stolen.

Suspect descriptions:

• Suspect 1: Black man, slim build, brown eyes, appears to be in his early 20s.
• Suspect 2: Black man, slim build, black braids, brown eyes, also appears to be in his early 20s.

How the scam works:

The fraudsters contact victims by phone, using spoofed caller ID to impersonate banks or financial institutions. Posing as bank investigators, they claim the victim’s accounts have been compromised.

Once trust is established, the scammers:

• Request sensitive banking information such as PINs and passwords

• Instruct victims to leave their bank cards in a designated location for a "courier" to collect

After retrieving the cards, the scammers rapidly withdraw funds or make large purchases before the fraud is discovered.

For more information about bank investigator scams, please see this news release:Fraud Alert: Two men charged after posing as bank fraud investigators

Contact:

If you have any information that could assist in identifying the individuals involved, please contact Detective Wahbeh of the Organized Fraud Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5492.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppers.ca.

For updates on emerging fraud tactics, prevention tips, and resources for victims, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service. 

CONTACT:     

Media Relations

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext.  5366

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