Police warning residents to beware of a crypto-currency investment scam

https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?page=2&newsId=c49ce8dd-342c-47a9-a3c6-d56ddd681bf3 

Posted On Wednesday March 23, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 23, 2022    11:20 am

(Ottawa) – The Organized Fraud Section has seen an increase in crypto-currency investment scams and is warning residents to beware.

In most cases, suspects advertise investment broker services on a variety of social media platforms. When the victim reaches out for information, they receive regular calls, text messages and emails from the suspect. This leads people to trust the investment broker and, as directed, victims open an account at an online crypto-currency exchange service and make a purchase.

“The purchase of the crypto-currency is legitimate,” says Sgt. Chantal Arsenault of the Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Section. “However, when you turn your funds over to a third party who is a fraudster, they move your money, all the while leading you to believe they’re earning you a large profit. But that’s not the case.”

Victims are provided access to a fraudulent online investment account where they can log in with a username and password to watch their portfolio increase in value.

“This is how scammers entice their victims to keep investing,” says Sgt. Arsenault. “In most cases, victims don’t realize that the investment is fraudulent until they try to withdraw some of their money. Sometimes this is several weeks or months after the investment is made.”

Suspects use delaying tactics to postpone the withdrawal of funds and will tell the victim there is a large penalty fee in the thousands of dollars to access their investment. 

“After they pay the penalty, they find all their money is gone,” says Sgt. Arsenault. “These funds are laundered using international crypto-currency money exchanges with no governing body, often out of reach for authorities, so it’s next to impossible to get the money back.”

Warning signs it’s most likely a scam:

• Brokers use WhatsApp texting app to contact you;
• The investor contacts you by using a variety of emails addresses and phone numbers;
• The text messages and reports contain grammar or spelling mistakes;
• An atypical formal salutation is used: for example, Mr. John instead of Mr. SMITH;
• The promise of large returns on your investment. If it sounds too be good to be true, it probably is.    

“Don’t answer an ad on social media,” advises Sgt. Arsenault, “and always do your research. Would you hand your money over to someone on the street if they told you they can get you a big return on your investment?”

Check potential investment brokers through the Better Business Bureau and ask for references.

Legitimate brokers and companies have contact information and websites you can search for independently.

“Try searching phone numbers, broker names, company names and address with the word ‘scam’ added to your search,” says Sgt. Arsenault, “you may be surprised to find other victims have posted warnings to beware.”

March is Fraud Prevention Month. Learn about common scams, what to look for and how to avoid them at ottawapolice.ca.

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CONTACT: Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

Conclusion of “Project Mauve”: Over 40 cases solved and seven persons charged

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=2576955b-e0a4-40d5-a6b7-3cfdb66ccd6f

Posted On Thursday November 18, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 18, 2021          10:15 am 

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service East Investigations Unit, assisted by the Crime Intelligence Analyst Section, has concluded its investigation into several prescription frauds entitled “Project Mauve”.  

This Project was initiated after several reports were received since early May 2020 from local pharmacies regarding suspicious prescriptions. Investigators have been working diligently to identify the individuals responsible. 

Today, the Project concludes with over 40 cases being solved and seven adults being criminally charged, including a man mentioned in an earlier news release. The majority of these Frauds were organized and involved several participants. The drugs that were targeted were  Hydrocodone and Oxycocet. 

Kristopher KHALIL, 23 years old, Ibrahim MAIRANE, 22 years old, Amanuel SAMUEL, 23 years old, Zackaria DIRIE, 21 years old, Nuredin FAQI, 20 years old, Mahad MUNIN, 20 years old and Ali KHALEEL, 20 years old, all of Ottawa were charged with a total of 64 criminal charges related to Fraud, Drug Possession, Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence and Breaches.

 Three were detained and sent to show cause court and four were released on Undertakings, with court appearances scheduled for a later date.

Anyone with information about these incidents or any prescription fraud incidents is asked to contact Detective Dallaire with the East Investigations Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 3416.

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

Two people charged in fraudulent COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate investigation

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=e5a1142a-d9fa-49b1-92d4-372da3b15b07

Posted On Friday October 29, 2021

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, October 29, 2021        10:30am 

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit has charged a man and a woman for fraud-related offences following an investigation that commenced last September. 

On September 21st, 2021, police received information from the director of a local shelter that they suspected that one of their employee had presented a fraudulent vaccination certificate in order to maintain her employment at the shelter. 

The Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Unit commenced an investigation which revealed that the employee’s certificate was obtained by submitting forged documents and falsely attesting that she had received two doses of vaccination for COVID-19.  The investigation also revealed that a person from the same household had also obtained an Ontario Vaccination Certificate by submitting forged documents and falsely attesting that he had received two doses of vaccination for COVID-19. 

In both situations, the forged documents stated that they had received COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.  

On October 28th, Alexis MAITLAND, 38 years old and Dominic POISSANT, 47 years old, both from Ottawa were charged with Uttering Forged Documents and Obtain by False Pretence. 

They were released on Undertakings with conditions; and their court appearances are scheduled at a later date. 

The Ottawa Police would like to remind Ottawa residents that selling, purchasing, utilizing or knowingly accepting false COVID-19 vaccination credentials (certificate/passport) is a Criminal Offence and offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Participating in such offences puts everybody at risk and fragilizes our community’s public health.

Anyone with information regarding these types of fraud is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5492. 

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

City of Ottawa Paramedic charged in fraudulent COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate investigation

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=075147e1-3da7-491c-89b0-83ac2dcae4e9

Posted On Thursday October 28, 2021

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 28, 2021        8:30am

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit has charged a man for fraud-related offences following an investigation that commenced earlier this month.

On October 21st, 2021, police received information from the City of Ottawa that a man employed by the Ottawa Paramedic Service had presented a fraudulent vaccination certificate to his employer in order to maintain employment as a paramedic.

The Ottawa Paramedic Service Professional Standards Section informed Ottawa Police of its findings – which revealed that the employee’s certificate was obtained by submitting forged documents and falsely attesting that he had received two doses of vaccination for COVID-19 at a Provincial Vaccine Clinic.

On October 27th, Ali ABDELGANI, 30 years old, of Ottawa was arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Uttering a Forged Document
• Obtain by False Pretence
• Forgery

ABDELGANI was released on an Undertaking with conditions and his court appearance is scheduled at a later date.

The Ottawa Police would like to remind Ottawa residents that selling, purchasing, utilizing or knowingly accepting false COVID-19 vaccination credentials (certificate/passport) is a Criminal Offence and offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Participating in such offences puts everybody at risk and fragilizes our community’s public health.

Anyone with information regarding these types of fraud is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5492. 

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

Charges laid in Robbery and Extortion incidents in relation to an online dating scam – one wanted suspect to locate

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=271cc464-c18a-4c23-91df-a0db7d0c3263

Posted On Thursday October 14, 2021

Wanted Guled JINGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 14, 2021     9:10am 

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit has laid charges in a series of extortion incidents that occurred through an online dating scam since the beginning of August - where men are lured to locations in the West end of the City with the promise that they will be meeting a woman. 

When the victims go to the agreed location, they are met by suspects who intimidate and threaten them to provide money or be exposed publicly on the pretext that they were communicating with an underage girl.      

Omer AHMED, 24 years old, and Abu-Obaidah MOALIMISHAK, 23 years old, both of Ottawa have been charged with Robbery, Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, Intimidation by violence, Kidnapping, and Extortion.

Police are also looking to locate Guled JINJE, 24 year old of Ottawa who is wanted for Robbery, Kidnapping, Extortion and Harassment by means of repeated telecommunication (see photo). 

Investigators believe that there may be more victims and are asking that anyone who is the victim of this scam to contact police. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116. 

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

Beware of False Job Offers and request for money transfers

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?page=2&newsId=4ee758a5-192a-4a14-a1cd-c46beb9d1c09

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. 

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