Beware of False Job Offers and request for money transfers

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 6, 2021   10:00am 

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service is reminding the public of a popular scam where people are being offered false employment opportunities and asked to transfer money. 

The fraudulent employment opportunities are offered on job sites, internet ads, unsolicited emails, unsolicited texts, or in the newspapers. On other occasions, people who are posting their résumé online are being offered jobs. 

Those who respond to the ads are told that they have obtained the job and are sent a payment by cheque, e-transfer or other means by the supposed employer, and instructed to deposit it into their own bank account. 

They are then asked to send a large portion of the deposited money to someone else -- usually by purchasing pre-paid gift cards or depositing the money into a bitcoin machine or bank account provided to them by the employer. 

Once the victim has done this transfer payment, their bank calls them to inform them that the cheque or e-transfer they deposited into their own account was fraudulent and that their account is either overdrawn or frozen. 

This is a reminder to never send money to a person you do not know and trust; and that no reputable employer would ask that you use your own personal bank account in order to receive/send money. 

For more information about the latest scams and tips to avoid them, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center online. 

The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit is asking persons who are or have been victims of this scam to contact the Ottawa Police and make a report at 613-236-1222 ext. 7300. 

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