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 Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Security Council plans to vote on UN membership for Palestine
The UN Security Council is set to vote Thursday on a resolution that would allow the state of Palestine to join the United Nations as a full member, a step the United States opposes and will veto if necessary.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.