Mass marketing scam/extortion and threat of arrest
(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Unit is advising the community about an emerging mass marketing scam/extortion where fraudsters call residents and threaten to arrest the victims and their families.
Messages have been left for victims to immediately call back a specific phone number or their family would be arrested and prosecuted.
The fraudsters eventually request the victim’s personal information and banking information (credit cards, bank accounts and passwords) as a way to avoid an arrest. This is also how fraudsters confirm a victim’s identity.
The fraudsters have been known to impersonate government agencies, attorneys; and sometimes no identity is provided.
The Ottawa Police Fraud Unit reminds Ottawa residents to be wary when receiving phone calls in which personal information and/or banking information is requested.
For further information on marketing scams and fraud, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre<http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/about-ausujet/index-eng.htm>.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Call Centre at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300 or Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477.