Guelph police are investigating after two males in what appears to be a fake taxi approached a number of people Saturday evening. They stole one male’s debit card and later used it to defraud him of more than $700.
Police heard from five people who were approached by the males in the central part of the city. One of the males was posing as a passenger and claiming the driver would not accept cash due to the pandemic. The supposed passenger asked people to use their debit or credit card to cover his fare, and in exchange he would give them his cash.
One victim, who called police Monday, reported he was out for a walk Saturday evening when he was approached by a male in the parking lot of Church of Our Lady. The victim provided his debit card to cover the $7 fare, and in exchange the “passenger” gave him $10 cash.
The victim later realized the card returned to him was not his. He checked his online banking and discovered his card had been used for $226 in purchases as well as a $500 online transfer.
Both males were described as Middle Eastern in their 20s with dark hair. The passenger was further described as approximately 5’6” with puffy hair and was wearing a white shirt and small square glasses. They were driving a black car, possibly a Ford Crown Victoria, with a faded ‘Beck Taxi’ sign on the roof.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Const. Mason Melitzer at 519-824-1212, ext. 7278, email him at [email protected], leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
