Guelph police say a senior has lost $8,000 to a scammer who made him believe he had been assisting with a fraud investigation.
The victim received a call on Tuesday afternoon from someone claiming to be from his bank asking for help, police said in a news release.
“The victim was directed to attend two separate businesses on Eramosa Road where he bought 16 $500 prepaid Visa cards and provided the card numbers to the scammer who was still on the phone,” police said.
The service added that the victim attended a third store where the clerk told him he was being scammed and refused to sell him more cards.
![Click to play video: 'Seniors targeted in growing number of frauds and scams'](https://i0.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/news/8ap8458k62-5djrfnq0zu/web_RCMP_FRAUD_AWARENESS__FIELD_.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
Guelph police are urging the community to be vigilant and cautious when it comes to these types of calls.
![For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.](https://globalnews.ca/wp-content/themes/shaw-globalnews/images/skyline/national.jpg)
Get breaking National news
“No police officer or government or bank official will ever instruct you to purchase and send gift cards,” police said.
Always seek advice from a family member, co-worker or trusted friend, the service added.
Anyone in this situation can also call Guelph police for help at 519-824-1212 before following through on instructions received from an unknown person.
![Click to play video: 'Scams that prey on seniors'](https://i1.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/news/xy4h3vzqqr-dysghkwqow/2021.09.12_Grandparent_Scams.png?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
Comments