Kingston, Ont. woman loses $30,000 to fraudster claiming to work for CBSA
Police in Kingston, Ont. are investigating after a woman lost her life savings to a scammer claiming to be calling from the Canada Border Services Agency.
The woman called police on Tuesday, saying she had just been defrauded of $30,000 in funds after receiving a call from an individual who said they worked for the CBSA.
The individual told the woman her account was being seized as a result of drugs, fake identifications and fraudulent accounts being opened in her name, and that local police would be following up with her at a later date.
Police say the fraudster continued correspondence with the victim by email, portraying themselves as a border agent and provided instructions on how to use their "safeguard machines."
The victim followed all of the instructions provided and transferred $30,000.
"It was determined after the transfers were completed that the 'safeguard machines' the suspects were referring to were in fact Bitcoin machines," said police on Friday.
"The victim then received a call from an officer identifying themselves as Sgt. Marshall with the Kingston police and that the caller ID appeared as Kingston police with the correct telephone number. This technique of masking or replicating phone numbers is called 'spoofing.'"
Police say the victim became suspicious after the fake cop reprimanded her for asking legitimate questions and accused her of not co-operating.
There are currently no suspects in the incident.
Police say that at no time will police, Canada Border Services Agency or any financial institution call and ask you for personal information or to send money via a cryptocurrency.
“The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is aware there have been recent cases of individuals posing fraudulently as CBSA officials using email, text messages and telephone calls,” said the CBSA in a statement to CTV News Ottawa on Saturday.
“We can tell you that these calls are fraudulent and that the CBSA will never call asking for an individual’s personal information or to issue a warrant.”
The CBSA says in some cases, scammers use false CBSA information.
“Telephone calls may display numbers and employee names that falsely appear to be from the CBSA. Emails may contain CBSA logos, email addresses or employee names and titles to mislead the public,” said the CBSA.
Officials encourages anyone receiving these calls to report them to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.