Niagara Police are warning residents of a scam that is making the rounds.
The scam involves a suspect pretending to be real officials from the Crown Attorney’s Office, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
The caller alleges that the person who picked up the phone is a victim of identity theft.
They are directed to make payments, using what are described as government-approved ATM machines, or to deposit envelopes of cash into designated drop boxes.
The so-called government-approved ATMs are, in fact, Bitcoin machines, which are not regulated.
Once funds are deposited into these machines, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to recover the money.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud or identity theft is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at (905) 688 4111, option 1.
Image and story credit: Bonnie Heslop
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