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.

'Bank investigator' fraud spreading in eastern Ontario: What it is and how to avoid it

 https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/bank-investigator-fraud-spreading-in-eastern-ontario-what-it-is-and-how-to-avoid-it-1.7012325

Ontario Provincial Police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre are warning people about fraudsters impersonating major Canadian banks.

The "bank investigator" scam involves someone calling and claiming to be from a bank, the police, or an online retailer, asking the target's help with an "ongoing investigation" into a breach of the victim's bank account.

Fraudsters will convince victims to send an Interac e-transfer transaction to their own cellphone number. The suspect will instruct the victim on the steps required to add themselves as a payee and to increase their daily Interac e-transfer limit.

The suspect provides the e-transfer question and answer that the victim must use for the transfer. Once the victim sends the Interac e-transfer transaction to their own cellphone number, suspects will ask the victim for a "code" which is the last portion of the Interac e-transfer URL/link received. If the victim provides the URL, suspects will have the ability to deposit the funds into their own account.

In some cases, the fraudster might request the target provide log-in information for their bank account, including two-factor authentication codes, as part of the "investigation", which then gives the scammer access to the victim's funds.

More variations of this scam can be found on the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's website, including fraudsters even claiming to be the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre itself(opens in a new tab).

Ways to protect yourself

The OPP say to watch out for red flags when receiving phone calls from anyone demanding payment or access to financial information, even if it seems legitimate.

Oftentimes, the fraudster will spoof the phone number of the institution being impersonated, making the call appear legitimate. The scammer may also have access to some of the target's personal information like name, date of birth, address, or debit card number. Fraudsters will often provide the first 4 numbers of a debit or credit card to try and prove legitimacy. Remember that most debit and credit card numbers with specific financial institutions begin with the same four numbers.

Here are some more ways to protect yourself from falling victim to fraud: 

•  Financial institutions or online merchants will never request you to transfer funds to an external account.
•  Financial institutions or police will never request you to turn over your bank card nor attend your residence to pick up your bank card.
•  Never provide details of links or URLs received via email or text message to anyone, and never provide codes received via text or email, as these can provide fraudsters with access to your account.
•  If you get a call claiming to be from your financial institution, advise the caller that you will call them back. End the call and dial the number on the back of your bank or credit card from a different phone if possible or wait 10 minutes before making the outgoing call.
•  Never provide remote access to your computer or smart phone.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says calls from "bank investigator" fraudsters tend to happen early in the morning when a victim is still sleeping or not alert.

If you were a victim of this or any other type of scam, even if you didn't lose any money, you can report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online(opens in a new tab). It is also recommended you report it to your local police.

Ottawa couple out $13k after scammer posing as TD Bank steals credit card info

 https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ottawa-couple-out-13k-after-scammer-posing-as-td-bank-steals-credit-card-info-1.6755176

An Ottawa couple is reeling after a scam phone call from who they thought was a representative from TD Bank cost them $13,000.

Janel Nguyen and her partner Evan Dudley say that what seemed like an ordinary phone call from the bank's fraud department turned out to be a scammer trying to gain access to their identity and credit card information.

An Ottawa couple is reeling after a scam phone call from who they thought was a representative from TD Bank cost them $13,000.

Janel Nguyen and her partner Evan Dudley say that what seemed like an ordinary phone call from the bank's fraud department turned out to be a scammer trying to gain access to their identity and credit card information.

"They knew my name, obviously my phone number, my address, a bunch of different information that looked like it was within my banking details," Nguyen said.

"They basically told me that there was fraudulent charges on my credit card and they wanted to make sure it was me."

After a series of back and forth, the scammers said they were going to send her a security pin to allow them to lock the card and start a fraud case. All of this led to the scammers getting into her credit card account online and issuing cash advances until the card was maxed out.

Within thirty minutes, they realized what had been done and rushed to the bank to confirm and stop the transactions.

By this point Janel realized that her entire life savings were gone. She had been saving for three years in anticipation of a six-month trip around the world, her lifelong dream.

"In the blink of an eye – it's all gone," said Dudley.

The complications only soared when the bank told them the fraudulent transactions were not their responsibility, and the couple were on the hook for paying back the stolen money. The couple filed a police report and were told it is unlikely they would ever get the money back.

The bank also continues to charge the couple interest on the fraudulent charges.

"It just felt like we didn't find any support when we got to the bank. We didn't get the help we thought we were going to get," Dudley said.

TD Bank said in a statement to CTV News that they use "numerous security controls" to protect their clients and denied fault in this instance.

"Our security protocols and systems include technology that help us identify suspicious transactions quickly to protect our customers falling victim to financial harm," the bank said.

"We strongly encourage your readers and our customers to stay vigilant when it comes to suspicious or unauthorized activity on their accounts."

In 2023, there were 3,631 victims who were tricked by similar scams, losing a collective $309 million, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre(opens in a new tab).

Specifically for Ontario, 1,209 victims were swindled out of roughly $111 million.

Adrianus Warmenhoven, a security expert with NordVPN, says personal information used by scammers to fool victims is more accessible than ever.

"There's a bigger picture that anybody has of you than people would normally assume to be online," he said.

"This consists of all these pieces of data, so if I can recreate this data, I simply am you, there is no difference any more. People do not understand they need to protect this digital persona, this digital part of them because if I can recreate it, I can do everything you can. "

He says banks should have an increased responsibility to their customers, as advancements in artificial intelligence and deep faking technology make fraud easier and more scalable than ever.

"I think they have a responsibility to mitigate these scamming possibilities that they help create as well," he said.

"They need to take a hard look and maybe reinvent some of the transactional procedures again."

The Ottawa couple are hoping that banks implement technology that can flag suspicious transactions faster and are warning others of the danger.

"Just hang up the phone and call your own bank back, there's no point in trusting anyone over the phone these days honestly," Nguyen said.

--With files from Colton Praill, CTV News

'It’s heartbreaking': Ottawa woman says she lost $100,000 in an online investment cyber crime

 https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/it-s-heartbreaking-ottawa-woman-says-she-lost-100-000-in-an-online-investment-cyber-crime-1.6296899

• Tyler Fleming
• CTV News Ottawa Multi-Skilled Journalist
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Published March 2, 2023 7:03 p.m. EST

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Deborah Klein thought she bought a safe and guaranteed investment through an online site, but as it turns out, it was an elaborate scam.

"To save that $100,000 it took working eight years, three days a week," Klein tells CTV News Ottawa, as she looks through stacks of paperwork representing a more than two-year record of her loss. "To put to my retirement and now it’s gone."

In April 2021, Klein was looking to invest a portion of her retirement to help with the cost of living. After conducting a search online, she thought she found what she was looking for.

"This GIC came up for Canada Life," Klein says. "Everybody knows Canada Life, it has been around for ages. I was in finance and I remember doing payrolls with benefits and everything."

Klein downloaded a detailed brochure to research and decided on a guaranteed investment certificate that offered a return of 3.13 per cent on a four-year term.

"I didn’t know it was a fake brochure and they asked you to leave an email and your name and they will get in touch," says Klein, which they did. "They said you have to talk to an advisor, so I talked to an advisor and they said you have to prove who you are, prove that the money is not used for laundering, then the application contract and then they get you to do the wire."

To Klein, this all seemed legitimate. She says she researched the company and saw it had recently purchased an Ireland-based firm. That made sense to her because the representatives she spoke with had an Irish accent.

Three weeks after she made the large-sum money transfer, it was pointed out to her that it may have been a fraud. 

And it was.

The website Klein had been navigating that whole time was a spoof, a cloned knockoff, designed to look identical and legitimate.

It’s a problem afflicting many financial institutions. 

"A spoof website … has the same logo as your bank or an insurance company or financial services organization that sells products, the graphics look spot on, the copy is professionally written, no errors," technology analyst Carmi Levy said.

"And unfortunately they are very, very good to the point that even if you do do your due diligence it can be very difficult to tell the differences between these not legitimate resources and a legitimate bank or institution."

In a statement, a spokesperson with Canada Life said that the company is aware of this incident and are deeply troubled by the distress it has caused.

"Our financial industry partners work closely with regulators and the authorities on these issues when they arise to protect consumers from becoming victims."

Which is getting more difficult each day. Cyber crimes are surging and in 2022, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported more than $500 million in losses, the majority are considered to be financial investment fraud.

"It’s devastating to see how much loss is occurring and how much funds are leaving Canada and being laundered overseas," OPP Det.-Const. John Armit said.

"We’re seeing with these investment scams where the fraudsters are using professional money mules and money launderers to move the funds out of Canada overseas,  which makes it difficult for law enforcement to investigate and get the funds back."

Armit says if you are a victim of cyber fraud, it’s important to call local police immediately. In some circumstances, overseas wire transfers can actually be reversed.

"Canada is trying to do its part to investigate these frauds but it’s limited on what reach we have around the world," said Det.-Const. Armit, adding that prevention begins with cyber awareness.

"Go to the Ontario Securities Commission or your local securities commission and look up are they registered and that will give you an indication of it they are legit or not."

Levy says there are some key indicators to prevent being victimized by cyber scams.

"The biggest mistake that people are making is that they are searching for things online then clicking those links … never Google search for financial products," Levy says.

"What you should be doing is going right to the main homepage of the bank or the insurance company or the financial services institution that you know and trust and take a closer look at the address of the website itself and then put it up to the actual website of the organization that you think you are dealing with.

"Read it very carefully, look for any differences in letters, maybe an additional letter or so, or it isn’t the same domain or they added something to the domain and then when you are messaging back and forth with these individuals look for the email addresses that they are using. Are these the email addresses from the domain of the institution? Criminals are raising their game; they are investing more and using increasingly sophisticated tools."

Klein says her investment is likely gone, but wants to share her story as a cautious tale to prevent others from making the same mistake.

"In the old way, you would go there and bring the money in person. So I’m saying, be careful out there, it’s really bad," Klein says. "Really make sure before you make any investments because you don’t want to go through what I did, it’s devastating.”

Deborah Klein of Ottawa says she is out $100,000 after falling victim to a cyber crime in April 2021. (Tyler Fleming/CTV News Ottawa).

Here's how an Ottawa senior was scammed out of $15,000

 https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/here-s-how-an-ottawa-senior-was-scammed-out-of-15-000-1.6228752

Maureen Maguss of Ottawa says she lost $15,000 to fraudsters in a telephone banking scam last fall. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

• Peter Szperling
• CTV News Ottawa Multi-Skilled Journalist
• Follow | Contact

Published Jan. 12, 2023 6:29 p.m. EST

An Ottawa senior is out thousands of dollars after she fell victim to a telephone banking scam.

It took just one phone call for Maureen Maguss to lose $15,000 last fall.

"I worked a long time to give myself some comfortable living," Maguss tells CTV News Ottawa.

She says she’s the victim of a telephone banking scam, which all started because of a phone call.

In October, she returned a voice message left on her landline. Maguss believed it was legitimate over fraudulent activity on her Visa line of credit.

"That there was some fraud on my card for about $1,300 for a purse, that I would never spend,” she says.

Maguss recently travelled to the United States to visit a friend, so when the person on the other end of the phone asked if she had travelled anywhere, it made the call seem even more legitimate.

The caller seemed to know some details about Maguss, and asked to verify the rest.

"It’s the bank. They knew my mother’s maiden name, they knew a certain amount of numbers, they knew part of my social insurance number, all these things which made sense to me."

However, it wasn’t the bank that called her.

"Turns out it wasn’t. It was a fraudster,” she says.

Maguss says the fraudsters then had her enter a code and phone number on her landline – possibly forwarding her incoming calls to the scammers, including ones from her actual bank.  

When she realized the next day that something just did not feel right, "I cancelled the card, I cancelled my access card, I stopped everything."

She contacted the fraud department at Scotiabank by calling the number on the back of her banking card. However, Maguss said within days, multiple transactions did go through totalling $15,000.

In an email statement to CTV News Ottawa, a spokesperson for Scotiabank says they’re unable to comment on individual customer matters because of privacy, but did provide suggestions in how to prevent fraud.

"We encourage our customers to be cautious of suspicious websites, text messages, phone calls, or emails that appear to represent trusted organizations requesting personal or financial information," Scotiabank said.

"While appearing legitimate, these can be malicious attempts to collect information for the purpose of committing fraud. If a customer believes they have been a victim of fraud, we encourage them to report it to us immediately at 1-866-625-0561."

There are steps you can take to protect yourself. Ottawa Police say when in doubt, just hang up on suspicious calls.

"They are so organized now that sometimes the call display on your phone will even show that it’s coming from your bank or from your credit card company," Ottawa Police Sgt. Chantal Arsenault said.

"But, you cannot take this as a guarantee that it is. You have to make your own research, you have to look up the number yourself and call the bank yourself."

You can also call or visit 211.ca. Arsenault says it’s a service that can help you find the right person to contact.  

Police say there are thousands of victims each year.

"Usually once the money is gone, it’s gone," Arsenault said.

Maguss is still hopeful she will get her money back, and wants the bank to reverse the charges,

"I never thought I would fall victim to something like this, but it’s a trust factor that I have always been brought up with."

Fraud Unit warning residents to be vigilant with card skimming fraud involving a taxi

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=6530a52d-f27f-4642-a247-a0a888ab2f15

Posted On Friday September 24, 2021

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 24, 2021   3:35pm

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit is advising the public to be extra vigilant when being asked to pay for a service with a credit or bank card in exchange of money.

Since September 21st, 2021, the Ottawa Police Service has received several complaints concerning people being defrauded after affording assistance in paying with their personal credit or bank card for a taxi fare.

In all incidents, a suspect approaches the victim in a shopping or strip mall parking lot asking them to pay for their cab fare explaining that the driver does not accept cash because of COVID regulations, and only takes credit or debit.

If the victim accepts, he is then brought to the nearby taxicab to complete the transaction using their own credit/debit card.  The suspect then pays the victim with cash for the transaction.

In completing the transaction, the driver switches the victim’s credit/debit card for a false one and the Personal Identification number (PIN) is obtained surreptitiously. The victim’s card is then used to complete fraudulent transactions.  In all reported incidents, a fake BlueLine taxi vehicle was utilized.

The Organized Fraud Unit investigation has confirmed that a BlueLine sign (marquee) and licence plate are being used fraudulently.

The 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 Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300 or online. 

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

@OttawaPolice

Man wanted in Fraud over $5 000 investigation

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=5eeef063-9f76-4ac7-a975-8e553b489102

Posted On Tuesday April 06, 2021

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Wanted Nejat KAKAMAD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 6, 2021      3:45pm 

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Fraud Unit is looking for public assistance to locate a wanted man who defrauded two local banks for an amount over $690 000.

In January 2020, the man who owned a car service garage at the time, allegedly used his business bank accounts and credit lines for fraudulent purposes before officially closing his business.  It is alleged that part of his scheme involved the deposit of high valued business cheques.

Police received a complaint in March 2020 and an investigation was commenced. 

Nejat KAKAMAD, 57 year old, of no fixed address was charged with:

• Fraud over $5000
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Laundering Canadian proceeds of crime

Fraud Unit investigators believe that KAKAMAD is in the Ottawa area. He also goes by the first name of Shawn.  He may be driving a white 2019 Cadillac Escalade.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Fraud Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5460.

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

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

Fraud Unit charges three Montreal residents in relation to Identity Fraud

https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=adbabf2a-3056-46d9-9ccc-f999e1994a50

Posted On Wednesday July 10, 2019

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 10, 2019       3:35pm 

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit investigated an identity fraud incident, which occurred between July 5-6^th in the City of Ottawa, involving three victims that do not reside in the Ottawa area.  

Investigators found that three individuals arrived from Montreal on July 5, 2019 to the Ottawa area, where they used forged government identification to start the process of opening bank accounts at various financial institutions.

On July 6, 2019, the same individuals attended a Toronto Dominion Bank in the West end of Ottawa. Employees at the bank were suspicious of an individual attempting to open an account and contacted the Ottawa Police.

Officers attended, investigated and the individual was arrested for Fraud; and they further identified a vehicle waiting a short distance away and arrested the occupants. False identification for two other victims was located on the accused persons.

That day, the three individuals were charged as follows:  

Audrey NSILALA-MIAKA (m), 24 years old of Montreal:

• Conspiracy to commit Fraud
• Possess Identity documents
• Fraud under
• Personation

Tshimuena KALOMBA (f), 19 years old of Montreal:

• Conspiracy to commit Fraud
• Possess Identity documents x2

Meddy MOYENGE (m), 23 years old of Montreal:

• Conspiracy to commit Fraud
• Fraud under

They are scheduled to appear in court in August 2019 in Ottawa.

During this investigation, the Organized Fraud Unit learned that the victims were impacted by the recent Desjardins incident where ‘customer information was disclosed without authorization’. Two victims had been officially notified by Desjardins via letter that their personal confidential information had been compromised.

“While we cannot ascertain that the information used by the three charged persons from Montreal was actually obtained via the Desjardins information breach, the Ottawa Police encourages anyone affected by this breach to follow the instructions provided by Desjardins and register with credit monitoring services,” said Insp. Tim Hodgins, with the Criminal Investigations Directorate.

You can also read more tips to protect yourself with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

This is a reminder for everyone to be vigilant and attentive to any suspicious financial activity on your accounts or credit. If you have been victimized and are a resident of the City of Ottawa, please use the Ottawa Police online reporting tool at www.ottawapolice.ca or by calling 613-236-1222 ext. 7300.  

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

Jackass scares elderly people away from ATM and drains their account when they forget their debit card in the machine

http://crimestoppers.ca/2016/05/25/ottawa-suspect-makes-unauthorized-money-withdrawal-at-atm/

Ottawa: Suspect Makes Unauthorized Money Withdrawal at ATM

– MAY 25, 2016POSTED IN: FRAUD, OTTAWA, THEFT

On Wednesday March 30^th 2016, an elderly couple were attempting to use the ATM Machine at TD 101 Earl Grey Drive, Kanata.

The suspect, who has parked behind them became impatient and began to continually revving his engine. The elderly couple decided to leave the ATM as they became intimidated. After pulling away the suspect pulled up to the ATM machine. The elderly couple went into the bank only to realize they had left their debit card in the ATM machine. Bank staff attended to the ATM machine but could not locate the debit card. Upon checking their account at the bank, they learned the suspect had made hundreds in an unauthorized withdrawal from their account.

If you know the identity of the suspect or any criminal activity call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). Remember Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, we will not ask your name or record your call and you are not required to testify in court. If your information leads to his identity you could qualify for a cash reward of up to $2000. You can follow us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.