NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
Officers from the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wish to warn area residents of a scam that is not new, but is new to this area and have received two separate reports on it so far.
The scam takes place when the intended victim is approached by the scammers asking for money and gasoline as that they are driving a long distance or need to go see a family member in another province. They also advise that they had their wallet stolen along the way and have no money.
Eventually they go on to ask the intended victim for further cash in exchange for jewellery, in the form of rings and necklaces, which they then present to the victim as being actual gold.
The scammers advise that they plan on paying the victim back upon their arrival home and get their jewellery back however for now they cover their debt with the jewellery. The money is obtained and the victim is left with worthless items and of course the scammers never claim their jewellery ever again.
Locally, in one instance on Aug. 6, the intended victim was approached by the scammers while at a gas station asking for gasoline and cash in exchange for jewellery. The scammers advised they were on their way to Nova Scotia. No money was exchanged and the scammers were sent on their way.
In the second incident, which took place on July 22, the victim was driving east bound on Highway 26 when he observed a car stopped on the shoulder with the occupants waiving at him to stop.
Upon stopping to investigate, the scammers asked for a tank of gas, which was later provided by the victim but they then also asked the victim for further cash in exchange for jewellery. An exchange took place for $300 cash with again the promise they would contact the victim to get their jewellery back and pay the money owed.
To this date on money has been provided to the victim.
Investigation is ongoing however anyone with information on this matter as asked to contact Collingwood/The Blue Mountains OPP at (705) 445-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can submit your information online at www.p3tips.com or if you have any information on this crime or any other crime.
Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka or Grey-Bruce on Twitter or Facebook.
For information on frauds in general and tips on preventing victimization please go to www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or www.opp.ca .
If you are approached by such scammers, do not give money for jewellery and call police.
*************************
