Middlesex OPP warn residents to be on alert over ‘hitman’ scam emails

Residents are urged to be wary of suspicious emails after Middlesex OPP received a report of what is commonly known as the “hitman” scam. 

Last Thursday, someone from Middlesex Centre contacted police saying they had received multiple emails from someone claiming they had been hired to harm them. The scammer requested $10,000 as payment to “stop the operation.”

“Can you imagine the fear and anxiety someone feels when receiving this kind of information? That is what the fraudsters prey on,” Const. Max Gomez told 980 CFPL.

“It’s a scam. Report it, recognize it, and delete it.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Can you imagine the fear and anxiety someone feels when receiving this kind of information? That is what the fraudsters prey on," Const. Max Gomez told 980 CFPL.</p><p>"It's a scam. Report it, recognize it, and delete it."

In most instances of the scam, the email claims “you have been betrayed by someone,” who hired the author of the email to kill you but that if you pay them — usually double what they claim to initially have been paid — then they will cancel the contract and tell you who hired them.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre suggests the public ignore such emails. The centre also warns people that in addition to trying to scam you out of money, the fraudsters also often aim to get personal information so they can steal your identity.