The Wellington County OPP are once again warning of the dangers of fraud following a massive loss suffered by a Wellington North resident.
Police were made aware of a potential fraud case on January 18 by a Wellington North resident, who claimed to have lost $500,000 that they invested in a fraudulent online crypto currency investment firm. Police are urging the public to always do a preliminary background check before making any investments in or with a company.
Below are some useful tips from the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre:
1. Prior to investing, ask for information on the investment
2. Research the team behind the offering and analyze the feasibility of the project
3. Verify if the investment companies are registered with your provincial securities agency or the National Registration Search Tool
4. Be wary of individuals met on dating sites or social media who attempt to educate and convince you to invest
5. If you receive a suspicious message from a trusted friend, reach out to them through a different means of communication to confirm that it is them.
An employee from your financial institution would also be able to provide guidance when it comes to legitimate investment platforms.
The Wellington County Crime Unit is asking for any information relating to this fraud incident. Contact Wellington County OPP or Crime Stoppers if you have any information to share.