More than $1 million in losses from cryptocurrency fraud in the Comox Valley, RCMP say
Mounties in the Comox Valley say recent instances of cryptocurrency fraud in the region have led to losses of more than $1 million.
Comox Valley RCMP say they're currently investigating "several reports" of such frauds. In a news release, they describe two incidents in which victims were contacted by phone and "presented with an opportunity to invest money in return for dividends."
The victims gave the scammers remote access to their computers "to facilitate the creation of online trading accounts on a legitimate trading platform," police say in their release.
"However, since the scammer had access to the computer they were able to gather personal information from the victim and had continued access to the accounts created," RCMP say. "For some time, the victims received dividends from the scammer. When the dividends eventually stopped, the accounts were drained."
Other victims were looking to invest in cryptocurrency. They found brokers through Facebook advertisements and transferred money, police say.
"They transferred money to these brokers and saw reports online showing that their money was doing well," police say. "The brokers encouraged victims to invest more money until all communication stopped and the money became inaccessible."
The recent incidents in the Comox Valley come on the heels of similar fraud reports in Saanich. Last month, Saanich police said residents of that district had lost $1.4 million in cryptocurrency scams since mid-July.
RCMP advise the public to be suspicious of online advertising promising returns, as well as unexpected calls offering investment opportunities.
Police also advise taking time to ensure that investment services are legitimate and avoid making rushed decisions.
"Do not allow anyone to have remote access to your computer to facilitate the creation of accounts and/or to access private banking information," police say.
Anyone who is a victim of fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, according to Comox Valley RCMP.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.