Guelph resident loses thousands of dollars in Bitcoin scam

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GUELPH –

Guelph Police are warning the public against Bitcoin scam, after two similar incidents in two weeks.

Police said a 68-year-old man contacted them on Saturday afternoon, who told them he had been contacted by someone claiming to represent the Canada Border Services Agency.

He was told that a package bearing his name had been intercepted at the border and inside they had found illegal substances.

He was told to deposit $ 3,900 at a Bitcoin ATM while the caller was online.

The man said he became suspicious when the caller asked him to get more money from a line of credit and hung up.

Less than two weeks ago, police said a 27-year-old Guelph woman lost nearly $ 8,000 in the same scam.

Police are warning the public that payments made by Bitcoin or other crypto currencies are nearly impossible to trace, and they have tips to help recognize a scam.

They say you should never give out information to a caller you don’t know, and don’t click on links provided in texts or emails from someone you don’t know.

If the caller claims to be from an agency, such as Canada Border Services or the Canada Revenue Agency, hang up, find the number yourself and call the agency back.

Police say fraudsters will use many methods, including threats, to try to force you to act quickly, and that no government agency will require payment by gift card or cryptocurrency.

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