Grey County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) together with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) wish to alert citizens to a fraud known as the "Bank Investigator Scam".
How it works: Suspect(s) contact potential victims, (mostly seniors) by phone advising that they require their assistance to catch a bank employee that "has been stealing money". The victim is instructed to go to their bank and make a cash withdrawal. The victim is told not to tell the bank teller what they are doing because the teller may be involved. The victim is instructed to place the cash in an envelope and meet the "Investigator" in a nearby parking lot where the cash is turned over. If successful, the "Investigator" attempts a further request for funds to ensure the investigation is a success. In one occasion, the CAFC reports that the "Investigator" also asked if the senior had any cash at home because the bank employee had been handing out counterfeit money. The senior turned over $6,000 in cash to the "Investigator" who implied the money was indeed counterfeit based on the serial numbers and seized the money.
Locally, in February 2012, a female senior citizen in Meaford was a victim of the "Bank Investigator" scam. The victim turned over $4,400 to the scammer who called himself "Mr. GAMMON" of the Scotia Bank.
It's not always easy to spot a scam and new ones emerge every day. If you suspect that you are a target of fraud, don't be embarrassed – you're not alone. Contact police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at www.antifraudcentre.ca or toll free 1-888-495-8501.
FRAUD.....recognize it! Report it! Stop it!