The South Simcoe Police Service says it made a "rare recovery" in a fraud investigation and that the public should be cautious when shopping online.
Officers were notified about a Facebook Marketplace scam on Monday, March 17.
"The report advised a complainant lost $11,500 after responding to an advertisement for a vehicle," police stated in a release today.
"The seller appeared to be a trusted friend. Through the investigation, police discovered that the suspect had stolen a person’s Facebook identity and used it to post the fake ad. The victim believed they were dealing with a friend and made several electronic payments for the vehicle. When the vehicle did not arrive as agreed, the victim realized they had been scammed and immediately contacted the police.
"Thanks to a timely and thorough investigation, the officer was able to track the money and successfully return it in its entirety to the victim. This outcome is rare, as recovering funds from online fraud is often complex, involving multiple currencies, banking systems, and international jurisdictions."
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The service says online fraud continues to be a growing problem.
"With the South Simcoe Police online reporting tool, we are making it easier and more accessible for the public to report non-emergency incidents, such as these types of fraud," added officials.
Police offered safety tips for online fraud and scams:
- Verify the seller’s identity – If you see an ad from someone you know, contact them directly by phone or in person to confirm it is really them and the ad is real.
- Be cautious with payments - Avoid sending money via e-transfer, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Use secure payment methods that offer fraud protection.
- Meet at a safe location - If possible, complete transactions in person at a public place.
- Look for warning signs - Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, fraudsters prey on the ‘fear of missing out.” If something seems too good to be true… it usually is!
If you have seen this type of scam but did not experience a financial loss, contact the
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
