Public Safety Alert, Service Canada and TPS Bitcoin Fraud

Public Safety Alert, Service Canada and TPS Bitcoin Fraud

Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - 11:00 AM
51 Division:  416-808-5100

The Toronto Police Service is advising the public of an ongoing fraud scam that is related to Service Canada and the Toronto Police Service.

It is reported that:

- on Monday, June 15, 2020, a 38-year-old man was called by someone claiming to be a Service Canada Representative

- the call display on his phone showed 1-800-622-6232 which is the actual number for Service Canada

- the victim was then informed by the caller that he would be contacted shortly by someone from 51 Division at the Toronto Police Service

- the call display then showed a call from 416-808-5100 which is the correct number for 51 Division

- he was informed that his Social Insurance Number was compromised and was instructed to deposit money into a Bitcoin machine to protect his assets.

- he was told if he didn’t follow the guidelines, he would be arrested

The Toronto Police is reminding the public to be vigilant, especially in these times of
uncertainty. Government agencies will not ask the public to deposit money using bitcoin machines.

Anyone with information in relation to this fraud is asked to contact Detective Constable Elliott Lee at 416-808-5179, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Caroline de Kloet, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Elliott Lee, 51 Division – Fraud Unit