Since November 9th Wellington County OPP have investigated 3 similar type fraud occurrences. Other police agencies have also receive complaints of the same type of scam.
In this type of fraud, the fraudster uses popular buy and sell websites to advertise new cell phones for sale. The victim believes they are getting a new cell phone at a discount price and arranges to meet the “seller” in the parking lot of a gas bar or coffee shop.
In some exchanges, the “seller” will go so far as including a receipt with serial numbers that match the number on the cell phone. The counterfeit phones look authentic and are delivered in a new box wrapped in plastic.
Each victim lost between $1000 and $1500 for the counterfeit phones.
Warning signs are:
- Warnings posted online
- No customer phone number or email listed on the website
- An odd or different name on your credit card statement
- The transaction is in a different currency
- The product packaging has no labels
- The quality of the product is bad
- The price is hugely discounted
Scammers are constantly creating fake ads online. to reach potential victims they use:
- classified ad sites
- resale sites
- website pop-ups
- fake company websites
Items offered for sale in these scams can be almost anything including:
- event tickets
- puppies
- electronic equipment
- clothing
- apartments, cottages or vacation rentals
- motor vehicles
A good rule of thumb is; if the asking price of a product is too good to be true, it is.
Never send money to strangers. Reduce your risk of victimization.