Kelowna RCMP Warn of Potential Internet Fraud

Kelowna

2022-08-04 13:23 PDT

File # 2022-46379

 Kelowna RCMP are reminding the public to be cautious about online acquaintances.

On July 7, 2022, the Kelowna RCMP received a complaint from a Kelowna man who developed what he believed to be a friendship on line with someone who portray herself as female.

This female initially told the gentleman she was in Ontario and then in a foreign country. The female asked to borrow money to cover debts and unexpected expenses.
The Kelowna man sent a significant amount of money to assist the woman. The victim requested to be repaid and offered the woman to come to Canada.

The woman refused and ended the relationship without returning the borrowed money.
What signs should one watch out for?

If the basis of the relationship is sending money to help out a person out of country that you have not met, please use caution says Cst. Mike Della-Paolera Kelowna RCMP Media Relations Officer.
This is a common internet scheme making a criminal investigation nearly impossible.

Some warning signs are: Profiles that seem too perfect, someone you haven’t met professing their love for you and trying to discourage you from speaking to family or friends about the relationship, they will get upset or act distressed if money isn’t sent and they may introduce you to their family to legitimize the relationship.

You can protect yourself by not giving out personal information, don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know, don’t invest on platforms you don’t know, protect on line accounts and never send money to someone you haven’t met.
Please check out Canadian Anti-Fraud Center for more information.     

www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

 

Released by

Cst. Mike Della-Paolera

Media Relations Officer
Kelowna RCMP
1190 Richter Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6V7
Office: 250-859-1470

Email: Kelowna_Media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: kelowna.rcmp.ca

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