Romance Scam Leads to Cryptocurrency Loss in Brant County
The Brant County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning the public about a recent romance scam that resulted in a significant financial loss for the victim. The victim met someone online in April 2024 through a popular dating app and, after a few weeks of chatting, was convinced to switch to a different platform. On this new platform, the individual introduced the idea of investing in cryptocurrency. The victim, trusting the individual, made several transfers to a cryptocurrency account, but has been unable to recover any of the funds.
The scammer employed several tactics to maintain the victim’s trust, including:
- Changing phone numbers.
- Deactivating and reactivating social media profiles under different names.
- Requesting the victim to…
This scam highlights the growing threat of romance scams, especially those that involve cryptocurrency. Scammers can use various techniques to gain the trust of their victims and manipulate them into making financial decisions that benefit the scammer. It’s essential to be cautious when meeting people online, especially when discussing financial matters.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from romance scams:
- Be wary of people who ask for money or investments, especially if you haven’t met them in person.
- Don’t share personal financial information with anyone you haven’t met in person and trust.
- Research any investment opportunity thoroughly before investing any money.
- If you feel pressured or uncomfortable, end the conversation.
If you believe you have been a victim of a romance scam, contact your local police department immediately. You can also report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. 👮♀️
For more information about cryptocurrency and how to protect yourself from scams, you can visit the websites of reputable organizations like the **Canadian Securities Administrators** and the **Ontario Securities Commission**.
