Guelph Police are reporting that a third Guelph resident has fallen victim to the Bitcoin scam.
Thursday at 6:45 p.m., it was reported to police that a woman received a phone call from a woman pretending she was a government employee. She advised the victim that there was a warrant out for her arrest, as her social insurance number had been used to open a number of accounts that had since been involved in money laundering and drug related crime.
The victim was told that the only way to have this matter resolved was to deposit the amount of money in her bank account in to a Bitcoin machine. The female followed the instructions, deposited $2,400 into a Bitcoin machine and contacted the Guelph Police Service when she realized that it was likely a scam.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cst. Denver Staines at 519-824-1212 ext. 7166, email him at [email protected], leave an anonymous tip at CRIME STOPPERS 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
The Guelph Police Service reminds the public that no police officer or government official will ever instruct you to deposit money into a Bitcoin machine.
Please be very vigilant and cautious whenever you are speaking with someone you don’t know, especially online or over the phone. Please also seek advice from a family member, coworker, trusted friend or the Guelph Police Service at 519-824-1212 before following through on instructions received from a person that you don’t know.
