Police are investigating after a Norfolk County resident lost more than $400,000 in a romance scam.
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Norfolk OPP have determined that the victim established an online relationship on Facebook between June 2022 and January 2024.
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Police say the fraudster made several both appeals for financial assistance for personal emergencies and business endeavours.
The main means of support was sent through Apple gift cards,
“A romance scam is a type of online fraud where individuals use fake identities and build romantic relationships with victims through online platforms, social media, or dating websites,” said Const. Andrew Gamble of Norfolk OPP. “The scammer typically creates a convincing profile, often using stolen photos and a fabricated backstory, to gain the trust of the victim.
“Once a connection is established, the scammer often exploits the victim’s emotions to manipulate them into sending money or providing personal information.”
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This is not the first time people in the county have lost large sums of money to romance scammers.
In January 2023, Norfolk OPP said a resident lost more than $200,000 in a romance scam over several months.
In March 2023, a resident was out more than $68,000.
In March 2022, police reported a Norfolk resident was out $250,000 over a one-year period.
During a four-month period in 2019, another Norfolk resident sent $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 told a local person lost $240,000 to a scammer.
Police say scammers use compelling personal stories and attractive photos, invent fake circumstances that demonstrate a need for financial help, and request money, gifts, or banking information from the victim.
Perpetrators avoid in-person meetings with their victims by using excuses of geographic distance or the inability to travel.
To learn more about frauds and scams, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
The Norfolk OPP Crime Unit urges anyone with relevant information of this incident to call police at 1-888-310-1122.
Anonymous tips can be provided by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.helpsolvecrime.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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