Man arrested for fraudulent investment scam with victims losing over $240,000

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/man-arrested-for-fraudulent-investment-scam-with-victims-losing-over-240-000.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 27, 2025    10:25 am

(Ottawa) —Between December 2023 and September 2024, an Ottawa man ran a fraudulent investment scam, defrauding friends and acquaintances of over $240,000.

The Ottawa Police Service has charged Timothy LAFLAMME, 39, with:

• Eight counts of Fraud Over $5,000
• Two counts of Fraud Under $5,000

LAFLAMME allegedly approached each victim and offered them an opportunity to invest with a company that he presented as being a real estate platform, presenting himself as a qualified investor.

LAFLAMME took the victims’ money and used it to cover personal expenses and to invest in cryptocurrency. He appeared in court yesterday.

If anyone has been defrauded by this individual, please contact the Ottawa Police Service Fraud Section. She can be reached at 613-236-1222, extension 5190 or by email at fraud@ottawapolice.ca.

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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 Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

$100 counterfeit bills are circulating in Ottawa

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/100-counterfeit-bills-are-circulating-in-ottawa.aspx

Posted on Thursday, February 27, 2025

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, February 27, 2025              10:00 a.m.

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service is asking Ottawa residents to be on the lookout for counterfeit $100 bills after receiving reports of fake currency being used in several ongoing investigations.

Since December 2024, the Ottawa Police Fraud Unit has received multiple reports of counterfeit currency.  These bills are often used without retailers noticing, only to be identified as counterfeit later.

Here are some ways to tell if your currency is counterfeit:

• Check serial numbers when accepting cash. Each bill should have a unique serial number.
• Check the window on the bill for tiny numbers matching the denomination.
• Verify that the portrait in the window matches the main portrait.
• Use a small, bright light to see tiny numbers in the maple leaf window.
• Ensure the image in the window changes colour.
• Feel the raised ink on the main portrait by running your finger over it.
• Observe the bill to see if it is identified as “prop money” or “for film use only,”  often times, this can be seen in the fine print.

If you have been a victim of fraud, please report it online with the Ottawa Police Service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or by phone at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free).

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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 Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

Victims of Hutch Law asked to come forward

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   Monday, January 27, 2025        10:05 am

 (Ottawa) – In the Fall of 2024, the Ottawa Police Service received several Fraud reports concerning HUTCH LAW, which at the time was located on Preston Street in Ottawa.  The Ottawa Police Fraud Unit launched an investigation and as a result, charges have been laid.

On January 23, 2025, Julian J. HUTCHINSON of Chelsea Qc, was charged with Fraud, Theft, False Pretense and Criminal Breach of Trust.  The charges stem from Real Estate transactions completed by HUTCHINSON of HUTCH LAW between 2022 and 2024.

Investigators believe there are other victims who have yet to come forward.  We ask those individuals to please come forward and file a report with the Ottawa Police Service Fraud Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppers.ca. 

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/suspects-to-identify-following-a-credit-card-fraud-at-a-grocery-store-on-place-d-orleans-drive.aspx

Suspects to identify following a credit card fraud at a grocery store on Place d’Orleans Drive

Posted on Wednesday, November 20, 2024

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 20, 2024        11:40 am

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service East Criminal Investigation Section is seeking the public’s assistance to identify two suspects responsible for a credit card fraud committed at a grocery store in the 1200 block of Place d’Orleans Drive on July 28, 2024.

At 2:45 pm that day, the suspects purchased numerous gift cards with a stolen credit card.

Suspect #1 is described as a male, medium build with dark facial hair. He was wearing a blue short-sleeve shirt, grey shorts and a white hat with a black stripe.

Suspect #2 is described as a male, with a medium build and dark facial hair. He was wearing a black short-sleeve shirt, black shorts, sunglasses and a similar hat to suspect #1.

Anyone with information as to the identity of these individuals, or information about this incident, is asked to contact the East Criminal Investigation Section at 613-236-1222, ext. 3335.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppers.ca.

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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 Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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Ottawa Police Service

P.O. Box 9634 Station T,
Ottawa, ON K1G 6H5

Phone: 613-236-1222 (non-emergency)
TTY: 613-232-1123
Service for the deaf, deafened and hard of hearing.

• Resources

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/ottawa-police-warn-residents-about-a-renovation-scam.aspx

Ottawa Police warn residents about a renovation scam

Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2024

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 28, 2024  10:40 am

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service is warning residents about a renovation scam where victims end up with more damage to their roof or chimney than they had to begin with; and often the ‘contractor’ does not complete the work properly, causing unsafe conditions.

With this scam, the subjects attend a residence claiming that repair work is needed to the roof or chimney. Once they start work, they claim damage is more extensive and the repair estimate rises significantly and, at this point, the chimney has been dismantled to varying degrees so the homeowner feels the need to proceed and get repairs completed.

If confronted about the quality of the work, the subjects/contractors may leave the homeowner with damage that will require hiring a truly professional company to repair the roof/chimney to industry standards. Alternatively, the subjects/ contractors claim the work has been completed; however, it is likely not up to industry standards, and the repairs will need to be rectified by a truly professional company.

There are currently two company names being misused by the fraudulent subjects/contractors: Paul Clark Masonry and Red Leaf Construction. Subjects attending homes have a Scottish/ Irish accent.

If you have been the victim of this type of renovation scam, you can visit our website to file a fraud report online.

Keep any records that may be in your possession and provide police with all details of the incident.

While most contractors are reputable, be skeptical of any that ask you for a significant deposit of money upfront or offer incredibly low deals. And if they are pressuring you to respond quickly, just walk away.

For any work that you agree to have done on your home, get everything in writing before you hand over any money, including details of the exact work to be completed along with an agreed monetary limit on any extra costs.

You can protect yourself by verifying their business profile on places like the Better Business Bureau or by calling our partners at 211 to learn how to best proceed.

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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 Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

 

Card skimming fraud involving illegitimate taxis continues in Ottawa

Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2024

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 12, 2024       2:05 pm

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and By-law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) are advising the public to remain vigilant about taxi scams operating in the city.

In these scams, an individual may ask for assistance in paying a taxi fare by debit or credit card, as the driver will not accept cash.

In at least one case, the vehicle bore a roof sign and taxi plate stolen from a legitimate taxi licenced only to operate in Toronto.

When engaging with a taxicab, it is important to be able to determine whether it is legitimate.

OPS and BLRS are reminding the public that all licenced taxicabs in Ottawa have:

• a taxi plate with the City of Ottawa logo located on the right side of the rear bumper. This plate is either blue with white lettering or white with green letters
• a roof sign indicating the taxi company and plate number
• an identification number on both sides of the vehicle
• a taximeter with a City of Ottawa seal

Taxi drivers must also have a driver identification card with their photo and driver number.

Only the following taxi companies are licenced to operate in the City of Ottawa:

• Blue Line Taxi Co. Ltd.
• Capital Taxi
• West-Way Taxi
• Executive Cabs

The OPS Fraud Unit provides these safety tips:

• Don’t accept to pay with your debit or credit card for someone else’s transaction even if you are offered monetary compensation, equivalent or superior to the original transaction amount.
• When making purchases, protect your PIN.
• Do not share your PIN with anyone.
• Choose a PIN that is not easy to guess – avoid birthdays and phone numbers, etc.
• Keep a close watch on your incoming bank and credit card statements.
• For more tips, click here.

Reports of fraud can be made by calling the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300 or online.

Unlicenced taxicabs should be reported to By-law and Regulatory Services by calling 3-1-1.

Visit Ottawa.ca/consumerawareness for more information on regulations for taxis and Private Transportation Companies.

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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 Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

@OttawaPolice

facebook.com/OttawaPoliceService

instagram.com/ottawapolice

 

City of Ottawa Media Relations

Tel: 613 580-2450

Courriel : medias@ottawa.ca

Beware of a scam, impersonation of Ottawa Police and Ottawa Victim Services

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/beware-of-a-scam-impersonation-of-ottawa-police-and-ottawa-victim-services.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 20, 2024         8:51 am

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit is warning the public of a reported scam. 

Victims have received calls from persons pretending to be victim support workers from Ottawa Victim Services.

The fraudster typically tells the victim that their personal information has been compromised and appeared on the dark web relating to crimes against children. The victim is then instructed to attend their banking institution and transfer funds or offered help by the fraudster to transfer money out of their compromised accounts into the one that has been specially prepared for them.

To further complicate matters, the fraudster references a partnership with Ottawa Police Service investigators and the calls appear to be from a telephone number that belongs to Ottawa Victim Services (613-238-2762).

People are reminded that, should they receive unsolicited calls from a person requesting money or personal information, they should advise the person on the line that they will call them back. They should then verify the correct number for whatever agency is supposedly calling and call them back, as applicable.

It should be further noted that the actual Ottawa Police phone number (613-236-1222) as well as Ottawa Victim Services (613-238-2762) will not show up on your call display when you are receiving a legitimate call from either of them.

If you have been a victim of fraud, please make a report online with the Ottawa Police Service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by phone at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free).

You can read more about scams and tips to protect yourself. You can also visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for information on popular scams and the Toronto Police Service for tips on how to protect yourself from scams

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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.