A Norfolk County resident is out more than $200,000 in a romance scam that police say started several months ago.
The resident began an online relationship with someone in 2021. From November of that year to January 2023, the resident was defrauded of more than $200,000, said Norfolk OPP.
Police were contacted about the incident on January 9.
“Several emails and phone calls were exchanged with details of the suspect’s history and employment status and during the course of this correspondence, several requests were made for funds after the suspect claimed that they were having several emergencies and requested money,” said a media release from Norfolk OPP Const. Ed Sanchuck.
This is not the first time people in the county have lost sizeable sums of money to such scams.
In March of 2022, police reported a Norfolk resident was out $250,000 over a one-year period in a romance scam.
During a four-month period in 2019, another Norfolk resident felt $300,000 to a scammer.
Between November 2018 and July 2019, a resident was defrauded of $120,000 after establishing an online relationship.
In November 2017, police reported a resident lost $220,000 and a year earlier police said a local person lost $240,000 to a scammer.
“It’s not always easy to spot scams, and new ones are invented every day,” said Sanchuk.
“Knowledge is power. If you want to stay on top of scams, inform yourself on how to recognize the various types of scams and protect your personal information by visiting law enforcement organizations’ websites,” said Sanchuk, citing opp.ca and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center site did www.antifraudcentre.ca.
Police also encourage people to get advice from family, friends or other advisers when requests are made for personal information or money.
If you or someone else has become a victim of fraud, contact the police or call CAFC at 1-888-495-8501.
Tips to Avoid Being a Victim of a Romance / Dating Scam
(Source: Ontario Provincial Police)
- Check website addresses carefully. Scammers often set up fake websites with very similar addresses to legitimate dating websites. Make sure you only use legitimate and reputable dating websites.
- Never send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust. A request to send money to a foreign country using e-transfers or a money transfer service to a person you have never personally met should be a red flag.
- Don’t give out any personal information in an email or when you are chatting online. Like any scam, use your computer to your advantage. Educate yourself. Check the person’s name, the company name the addresses used, and ask yourself, “Would this be normal?”
- Ask yourself – “Would someone I have never met really declare their love for me after only a few letters or emails or phone calls?”